Potential design flaw with factory rear suspension? (WATER in boot area)
 

OK, so we installed coilovers today, and the garage noticed that the rear shock top on both sides was wet..

The only explanation is it is coming in from UNDER the car, in the wheel well.

It has been raining here, but not flash flood storming or anything crazy.

What I am concerned about is the implications of even small amounts of water finding their way into the boot, it could lead to mould, humidity in the car, weird smells, damage to amplifiers or other such things that dont like humid areas.

Now when I say water, we arent talking about pools of water in the boot, but there was a very noticeable amount on the strut top, which bolts in from inside the car/boot space. Just above the strut top appears to be a hole around 1.5 inches in diameter that is perfect for adjustable strut dampers (no doubt that is what it's for).. But considering the factory strut somehow allows water to get into this hole, it could potentially vapourise inside the car on a hot day, or be the cause of nasty smells if you end up driving over filthy water.

Maybe it's not a big deal, but to me it seems like a pretty average design flaw, whereby they could have simply put a grommet/stopper in there, or a splash guard to stop water collecting up in there.

Here is a picture of the strut top, with water on it (most of the water had run off at this point, but you can actually see a bubble along the top edge here):

http://www.streetfx.com.au/galleries...2/watertop.jpg

It is also important to note that this wetness was only after 20km of driving on damp roads, it wasnt pouring rain or driving through huge puddles.

Here is a pic of the area where this water could potentially get itself into the cabin.

http://www.streetfx.com.au/galleries...struttop2a.jpg

http://www.streetfx.com.au/galleries...struttop1a.jpg


I know I am being picky here, and maybe it's no big deal, but it seems a little strange that there is an area where a pool of water can collect up and end up inside the car in some way (obviously its not going to splash in, but I guess it just seems cheap?

Obviously for people such as myself who has already changed out the factory struts, I'll have a hole there anyway for the adjuster knob, but I am surprised there's no rubber hat on there from factory (like all the plugs in the firewall etc)? Or is my car missing a part?

Thoughts?

could this be the cause of Hanakuso's gnats in the trunk problem?

I would take this to scion/subaru and make sure they are aware.

Thanks for linking me to this thread. I'll check it out tonight!!

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to go get myself a couple $0.25 body plugs tonight. :thumbup:

So to be clear: water from the wheel well is/could be making its way into the cabin through that hole above the strut tops?

You are not being picky and it IS a big deal.
Toyota is not known for such oversights and I am sure they will take care of it quickly and should thank you for pointing it out to them.

Any pics of how it looks stock?

Sadly this car is not made at toyota. This is the sort of shit (and the chirping and all those other little niggles) that happens when you let inferior manufacturers build your cars for you.

Are you sure the plugs under the car were installed during pdi? Otherwise water will get up in the subframe.

Lol this statement. Team 86 approved everything and it was headed up by a Toyota engineer and comprised of both companies employees. The chirping is a design issue. The high pressure high pressure fuel pump isn't a Subaru parts bin part.

:laughabove: :rolleyes:

Good question. I was thinking the same thing.

:mad0260: