Here we go with warranty crap...

[AZP Installs]

We have had really good luck with the motul gear 300 and the amsoil gear oils. I think this should be a fluke given the hp and weight of these cars.

As for warranty work, they can only deny you if the modification caused the failure. However, they can tie things back to the failure in interesting ways. Also, don't be dumb about things. If you go in with autox or drag numbers on your car, or a big tach, they will start digging.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[CSG David]

The first thing we did after break-in was fill the differential and transmission with Motul Gear 300 LS 75W-90 in the differential and Gear300 in the transmission. It is important to change the differential and transmission oils for the track. So far the summer temps this year have been unforgiving each time we hit the track. The car is a little less than 2 months old with 5900 miles on the odometer and 8+ trackdays thus far. The BRZ has been phenomenal thus far (of course regular maintenance is performed!).

On our personal vehicles (S2000 CR) we have experienced oil breakdown even after a partial trackday. Ambient temps range from 45º to 110º at our tracks. Shifting gears will be an issue and the diff oil will become somewhat sludgy if not addressed. Changing to quality synthetic gear oils reduces oil breakdown and prolongs the life of your gearbox and differential.

Hope you get all that sorted out soon.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

As for warranty work, they can only deny you if the modification caused the failure. However, they can tie things back to the failure in interesting ways.

While this is a frequent reply on many forums, I don't think it's true. The purpose of Magnuson-Moss act was to allow replacement parts produced to OEM specs and it reads as such. If you put non-OEM spec parts they CAN deny warranty coverage. If you autox your car, most warranties these days have language that lets the deny warranty coverage. Few of the dealers/producers do this, but they certainly CAN. They only have to prove that some part caused the failure, if the said part was OEM-spec. Otherwise they don't have to.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

While this is a frequent reply on many forums, I don't think it's true. The purpose of Magnuson-Moss act was to allow replacement parts produced to OEM specs and it reads as such. If you put non-OEM spec parts they CAN deny warranty coverage. If you autox your car, most warranties these days have language that lets the deny warranty coverage. Few of the dealers/producers do this, but they certainly CAN. They only have to prove that some part caused the failure, if the said part was OEM-spec. Otherwise they don't have to.

I agree, if you have let's say a pulley on your car, or any modification to the ecu, drivetrain, or engine, even in the slightest amount, they will say that the car was not designed to handle the extra power and deny the claim.

Something like brakes or suspension could/would likely not get tied back to an engine or drivetrain issue.

Wheels can easily with the wrong offset be tied back to a bearing or bushing issue.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[dsgerbc]

Increased grip from non-OEM tires though can be easily linked to levels of stress in the LSD, and I'm not even talking about 5k-rpm launches required with these cars to get decent times in autox with stickier tires.

Personally, I think the diff should be able to handle at least autox no-problem, but I'm not too sure that the bean-counters @Subaru/Toyota didn't go cheap on the diff fluid.
So, my personal advice for getting stuff fixed - keep quiet about autox (at least do not volunteer information w/o being asked) and change the OEM diff fluid anyway.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Increased grip from non-OEM tires though can be easily linked to levels of stress in the LSD, and I'm not even talking about 5k-rpm launches required with these cars to get decent times in autox with stickier tires.

Personally, I think the diff should be able to handle at least autox no-problem, but I'm not too sure that the bean-counters @Subaru/Toyota didn't go cheap on the diff fluid.
So, my personal advice for getting stuff fixed - keep quiet about autox (at least do not volunteer information w/o being asked) and change the OEM diff fluid anyway.

If you roll in on R-compound tires, yes, they could definitely hold that against you. If you roll in on regular summer tires, they can't say anything. If you are on R-compound tires at a dealership, then that's just pretty dumb IMO.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[flawedchemical]

I posted about this somewhere on here too. I've got 7400 miles on mine and 2 autocrosses. About 1000 miles ago my rearend really started grumbling in parking lots and tight/slow turns. Now it's doing it every time I start from a stop. Looks like I need to get this fixed asap. Any one have a for sure go-to fluid recommendation?

Edit:

Here's the thread I started a while back. Seems it's going to be common with a little hardish driving. I'm still on the stock tires too, so I don't think Sam should have any issues with them blaming it on stickier tires.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16769

[Sam Strano]

I've got similar issues. There was quite a bit of metal on the magnet which is the reason for the change.

No I am not on r comps. But it seems my KWs and wheels and tires constitutes "highly modified". So if you have any diff issues get it on record now, it'll help me and you too down the road if the same lame brain attitude happnes to you too.

I am sure the coil overs and SCCA sticker led to a dimwit assumption that I'm driving like an asshole, and that I'm going to just accept the piss poor attitude toward a sports car guy who thought he bought a god damned SPORTS CAR.

[flawedchemical]

Word...I don't want to just go up there and put the same crap fluid back in though.

I guess I better make sure I don't need a whole diff replaced like you though.

[ABQautoxer]

Just crazy to think of a Torsen as being this fragile. Let's hope these are just exceptions to the rules. All the other Torsens I have ever used for track/autox have been extremely stout.

[Texas BRZ]

Sorry to hear about the response from the dealer / manufacturer... Good to hear that they're covering it this time.

Here's my take:

The manufacturer can deny (whether right or wrong is up in the air) a part that fails even if there are absolutely no modifications on the car, believe it or not.

They can look for clues, such as the wear pattern on the tires (even if they are OEM), or they can question your replacement of the tires after only a short time from the last visit you came in for warranty work. Wear pattern = Hard cornering, etc.

They can take a closer look at the brake pad wear too (even if they are OEM).

And lastly, they may replace the part that has faltered the first time (as a good gesture)... But if it happens again (repeatedly), they may become very, very stubborn in covering you.

They will blame 'abusive driving' as the cause, even if the car was advertised and meant for enthusiastic driving pleasure.

After everything is said and done, I feel all manufacturers can become stubborn (and the regional tech representing your area tries to help them in every way). They are a business and they are going to analyze in detail before paying any additional cost to them.

And I'm not saying that I'd agree with it happening to me... But in my own business, I would react the same way (if I want to survive and make a fair living). What goes around, comes around... Even if it's bitter for me to swallow when it comes back around.

I can only hope Toyota will not challenge me like this.

[Sccabrz192]

While I know what you're saying is true... they are walking a fine line.

If it ends up shaking out that these cars are ultimately unreliable for these types of activities, and the manufacturer is unwilling to correct issues for their target audience this car will flop in a hurry. Regardless how hot they were on the initial launch.

I know if I start having these kinds of problems and my budget starts getting eaten up replacing parts because Subaru is unwilling to work with me, this car will have a for-sale sign on it in a hurry and I'll find something else to run.

[Texas BRZ]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

While I know what you're saying is true... they are walking a fine line.

If it ends up shaking out that these cars are ultimately unreliable for these types of activities, and the manufacturer is unwilling to correct issues for their target audience this car will flop in a hurry. Regardless how hot they were on the initial launch.

I know if I start having these kinds of problems and my budget starts getting eaten up replacing parts because Subaru is unwilling to work with me, this car will have a for-sale sign on it in a hurry and I'll find something else to run.

I can understand and relate with you. Exactly one of the reasons I got rid of one of my prior vehicles... Maybe I'm a coward, but it was to get away from the stress of the sensitive warranty / manufacturer.

I agree, the manufacturer may be walking a fine line... That's probably why they covered my warranty repair / replacement of the same part one last time (second time)... After I stretched the case a bit.

Some may say that one has to pay to play when even attending HPDE's (or high-performance driving)... And then you have some that say that the car was designed to be driven as a sports car should be.

Of course, I prefer to drive the car enthusiastically... In a correct and safe environment.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by Texas FR-S

I can understand and relate with you. Exactly one of the reasons I got rid of one of my prior vehicles... Maybe I'm a coward, but it was to get away from the stress of the sensitive warranty / manufacturer.

I agree, the manufacturer may be walking a fine line... That's probably why they covered my warranty repair / replacement of the same part one last time (second time)... After I stretched the case a bit.

Some may say that one has to pay to play when even attending HPDE's (or high-performance driving)... And then you have some that say that the car was designed to be driven as a sports car should be.

Of course, I prefer to drive the car enthusiastically... In a correct and safe environment.

Trust me, I understand pay to play on wear items... and I understand the more modified your car is the more equipment can potentially become a "wear item", but there is absolutely no reason a torsen dif should become a wear item on a car with 140 treadwear tires and a set of coilovers.