Blown OEM shock paired with TRD springs - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

nastynate88 · 03-21-2016, 06:09 PM

Hello all,

Took my 2014 BRZ (~12,500 miles) out for a drive, when I noticed a pool of oil beneath my passenger side rear suspension. I inspected the suspension further and saw that the leak is indeed coming from the passenger side shock.

Factory springs were replaced with TRD units about 6000 miles ago, by a friend who is a tech for a different manufacturer. I can't verify if he properly disassembled the shock assembly as shown in fig 2-2 in the installation guide (http://toyotaparts.sparkstoyota.com/...-18130inst.pdf). From my understanding, not doing so can cause the shock to fail as mine has.

Should I bother taking it to the Subaru dealer to get warranty work? I have a feeling they won't (and probably shouldn't) cover the work or the parts.

And even if this is replaced with an OEM replacement, I'm not sure if the tech did the same on all 4 corners. If that's the case, should I go ahead and replace all 4 shocks with something aftermaket and more performance oriented? I know AZP Installs is local, and their shop car is a BRZ so that's always an option. I don't have a use for fully adjustable coilovers, so I could go with something by Koni or Bilstein.

You opinions and guidance are appreciated.

Gear_One_Performance · 03-21-2016, 06:24 PM

I don't think you'll have much luck with warranty in this situation though that could swing either way depending on your relationship with the dealer. They may eat it in the interest of goodwill but they would be well within their rights to decline a free replacement.
That being said I would take this as a good opportunity to upgrade the shocks.

finch1750 · 03-21-2016, 07:17 PM

^what he said. Sounds like a good time to get Bilsteins lol

03-21-2016, 06:09 PM	#1
nastynate88 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2014 BRZ Location: Anytown, USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 8 Thanked 41 Times in 23 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Blown OEM shock paired with TRD springs Hello all, Took my 2014 BRZ (~12,500 miles) out for a drive, when I noticed a pool of oil beneath my passenger side rear suspension. I inspected the suspension further and saw that the leak is indeed coming from the passenger side shock. Factory springs were replaced with TRD units about 6000 miles ago, by a friend who is a tech for a different manufacturer. I can't verify if he properly disassembled the shock assembly as shown in fig 2-2 in the installation guide (http://toyotaparts.sparkstoyota.com/...-18130inst.pdf). From my understanding, not doing so can cause the shock to fail as mine has. Should I bother taking it to the Subaru dealer to get warranty work? I have a feeling they won't (and probably shouldn't) cover the work or the parts. And even if this is replaced with an OEM replacement, I'm not sure if the tech did the same on all 4 corners. If that's the case, should I go ahead and replace all 4 shocks with something aftermaket and more performance oriented? I know AZP Installs is local, and their shop car is a BRZ so that's always an option. I don't have a use for fully adjustable coilovers, so I could go with something by Koni or Bilstein. You opinions and guidance are appreciated.

03-21-2016, 07:17 PM	#3
finch1750 Undisputed El Presidente Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Zenki 37J ZN6 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 11,593 Thanks: 9,403 Thanked 9,411 Times in 5,270 Posts Mentioned: 374 Post(s) Tagged: 33 Thread(s)	^what he said. Sounds like a good time to get Bilsteins lol __________________ "Just like how a strut bar somehow enables you to corner 20MPH faster around a cloverleaf on-ramp, when the reality is, you can do it already but you just don't have to balls to do it." - CSG David

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03-21-2016, 06:24 PM	#2
Gear_One_Performance Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Drives: 2014 BRZ SCCA STU endurance car Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania Posts: 199 Thanks: 2 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I don't think you'll have much luck with warranty in this situation though that could swing either way depending on your relationship with the dealer. They may eat it in the interest of goodwill but they would be well within their rights to decline a free replacement. That being said I would take this as a good opportunity to upgrade the shocks.

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