N/S Rear Knock - not suspension leg

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:52 pm

Hi there, i have a "solid" knocking from the N/S rear on my 2003 STI.....i have recently replaced all shocks (KYB's) so its not the usual problem.......just wondering if the top mounts are known to wear etc or if anyone has experienced any similar problems...Many thanks........

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:55 pm

On the RX7 its usually bushes, like the anti rollbar bushes, the drop link ones etc.

Unfortunately you dont normally identify these issues until you upgrade to harder suspension.

Best thing is to take it for a spin, get home, whip the wheel off, then using gloves (brakes might be hot) give the hub a shake left and right, then up and down and you might be able to see any play in any of the bushes.

Suppose also does it do it on smooth roads or rough surfaces ? Does it do it when braking etc ?

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:21 pm

Its just on uneven surfaces, the drop links have been uprated and the sound comes from the top of the leg......which is why i wondered if it could be a problem with the top mount........

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:30 pm

Is the strut, piston rod tight up with the nut?

Jack the car up, on that side and lower it while watching/feeling the top nut. It may rise as the wheel takes the weight.

If it does, it could be either, needs tightening properly or needs a bush to take up the difference in thread length iyswim?

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:08 pm

Thanks and yes i think it needs a bush/spacer in the top so don't know if there was one there and it broke/fell out or whether i need to get something to go in...the strange thing is is that its come on about 2 months after fitting the new shocks and that the O/S is fine......have tried another new shock that side and its still knocking so i know the shock is'nt the prob......if that makes sense!

Tonynos · Post by **Tonynos** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:01 am

Not sure if the top mounts are the same on the newage but my rears were all cracked and knocked on my classic . Strange as I thought the fronts would have been the ones that went first not the rears. OEM items were just under a

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:06 pm

Right off to Constitution tomorrow who have ordered a new top mount ready to fit (well i hope they have!!) if it is that causing the problem which i hope it is....car has done nearly 100k and has had the std shocks replaced that side twice as is the usual case on this model so maybe they weaken the top mount and having the KYB fitted has made an already weak mount fail or maybe i'm just talking b******s in the hope this is the case :roll: :lol: .......................Cheers

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:24 pm

just in case anyone is looking at KYB's latest appears to be that the threaded part at the top of the shock is to short (on mine anyway) by about 1/4 inch so it can't be tightened on the top mount!!!! checking to see if a spacer/washers will work and also ringing the KYB supplier in the morning to see what they have to say......strange thing is is that the O/S one is fine!!.....

ginger ninja · Post by **ginger ninja** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:32 pm

Strange that Andy,

I fitted some KBY's to a blobeye a few weeks ago and noticed that the top nut was a different size, but apart from that they fitted the top mount ok.

I understand that KYB make the shocks for Subaru and I presumed that they fitted a different top nut to get over and copywrite issues.

Hope you get it sorted out, as there is nothing worse that a knock or rattle IMO.

mad dad · Post by **mad dad** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:47 pm

Hi there..have posted an update re KYB shocks