eliminate rear deck popping with rear strut bar?
 

My understanding is that strut bars stabilizes a car's chassis, do you guys thinking installing a rear strut bar can eliminate the rear deck popping noise?

I don't know about that but just last week my rear deck noise problem was finally corrected by my Scion dealer. They first used a new kind of lubricant on the metal cross brace under the package shelf. That didn't correct the problem. They then removed the papckage shelf and laid down adhesive foam rubber on top of the metal cross brace and that corrected the problem. Having owned my car since last September it's almost like having a new car. It is now totally problem free.

If your dealership has a problem understanding this, tell them to contact Desert Toyota of Tucson and they will explain the procedure to him.

My WRX has rear deck rattle and was cured with a rear strut bar. Don't know if the 2 issues are the same, but then BRZ is just another reincarnation of the Impreza.

No it doesn't, I have the Cusco rear strut bars on as well and I still get the popping noise, but I haven't had it much as of lately. You would need some lubricant to get rid of it. There was a tsb pdf on it.

can you take (and post) a pic of where they inserted the foam?

Sorry, when I get to Google I'm already over my head when it comes to the computer. Open the trunk, lean in and look up. You will see a metal cross member running across the car under the package shelf where the third brake ligh sets. The foam was glued to the top of that cross member, between it and the package shelf. They didn't insert it. They removed the package shelf, put the foam on top of the cross member and then put the package shelf back in.

Is there an official Toyota TSB for it? From the sticky TSB list only Subaru has it so far. Or should I just go in and complain / bring the Subaru TSB as proof it is a known problem?

edit: looking at the TSB I think I'll do the procedure #1 myself and if that doesn't fix it I guess I'll bring it in as I don't want to remove my inner rear trim. I'm surprised I never noticed this issue till recently.. it's pretty annoying.

I'm not sure if it's in the form of a TSB or not. I do know my Scion dealership (Desert Toyota of Tucson) is aware of the problem and they know that Toyota is aware of the problem. I took my car in the day that a factory rep was there and that's how I finally got a fix. If your dealership acts as if they've never heard of this problem, ask them to call Desert Toyota of Tucson 1-520-296-8535.

Is there a specific service advisor you are willing to disclose? I don't think it'll bode so well if I just tell them to call the dealership since some service advisors don't know much about the car.

My service advisor's name is Kerry. I don't know his last name but he's the only Kerry there. He's been our service advisor since 1999 (on other cars) and knows his job very well. I forget the guys name but I also know the service manager is aware of this problem/fix.

p.s. It might help if Kerry knew whose car your man was calling about. I don't think he'd recognize whaap's FR-S. It's the FR-S owned by Bruce Powers that they did the fix on.

I apologize for putting you on blast here but that is one of the most badass name I've ever heard.

Then you will get a kick out of my middle name: Lee
:burnrubber: