Recurring issue: suspension mount popping (TSB 05-61-16)

[chipmunk]

As I type this, my car is at the dealership for the 2nd time for popping sounds from suspension mounts. It happens while slowly reversing with steering turned. After a long time with the techs, I finally convinced them that it was from the top hats, and not from sway bar links.

My question is: has anyone else had this issue come up twice or more? I already had the "updated" top hats, but it still pops. If the problem comes back after a year or so, I'll be out of warranty and will have to fix it myself. In that case, how do I permanently fix this? Aftermarket top hats or springs? Grease up the bearings or springs? If your car did this once and now fixed, what did you do to fix it?

[Westen86]

Its happened once or twice with me also. Same conditions. Pretty loud, I thought the windshield popped out of place. (not really, but thats what it sounded like) Not going to worry about it with my extensive suspension wish list. Itll get fixed eventually.

[chipmunk]

The dealership installed new complete towers (except the springs), the popping sound still didn't go away. So now we're suspecting the springs. One more day of extended work for them. Never thought the spring would be the culprit, but we'll find out today.

I'm wondering if a strut brace would help....?

[highway7]

I had this problem as well, reversing while turning the wheel led to multiple audible pops


I fixed by tightening the 3 strut tower nuts, and also cleaning and re greasing the front brake pads.

[chipmunk]

Originally Posted by highway7

I had this problem as well, reversing while turning the wheel led to multiple audible pops


I fixed by tightening the 3 strut tower nuts, and also cleaning and re greasing the front brake pads.

Torque specs on the tower nuts....?

Just got back from the dealer. They said the sound went away when they removed the engine splash guard. I'm still having a hard time believing that. Over at NASIOC, some WRXs fixed the issue by re-greasing steering rack

Sent from a potato

[chipmunk]

Never mind. Found it. 17 ft-lb

[YamahaR86]

This issue is pretty interesting to me.



I'm by no means a proper mechanic but I manage to replace my springs with TRD ones 2 months ago. Never ran into the issue you described on the old stock setup or this newer one. I re-used everything except the springs and new bump stops all of which has 50k miles on them.



If this were me and this happened in the next year or so out of warranty it would give me an excuse to upgrade to coil-overs.

[Clutch Dog]

I have this with sharp turns at low speeds and on compression in a 2017 car.
never had this issue with my coilovers so im assuming its the top hat nuts, or springs. but ill be swapping out to STi springs ill ensure theres good rubber mounts on them before slapping them in

on my coilovers the issue was the endlink to control arm clearance with the design full motion can be a problem with fat endlink joints

[chipmunk]

I hope it doesn't happen to you. If it does happen to anyone, it's almost impossible to get rid of. A lot of things have been done by others (Crosstreks, Outbacks, WRXs...), but nothing really fixed it for them. Not sure if going to aftermarket coilovers will do anything to help.

[YamahaR86]

Originally Posted by chipmunk

I hope it doesn't happen to you. If it does happen to anyone, it's almost impossible to get rid of. A lot of things have been done by others (Crosstreks, Outbacks, WRXs...), but nothing really fixed it for them. Not sure if going to aftermarket coilovers will do anything to help.

How many miles on the car that this has happened twice?


I have a 2013 model that I bought brand new, has lower miles than most (50k).

[arkanist]

Happened to me but only after I caught a curb with my front wheel at ~15mph. I brought it to Subaru a few months after and had them look at it, they ended up finding i had slightly bent my strut. Found someone who had recently installed coils to buy his stock parts and I haven't heard that thud since.

If you didn't do something to bend your suspension I am with everyone who is saying something isn't tightened down. I would give everything a once over with a torque wrench and see if it's still there.

[Opie]

If you have the updated top hats, the issue is caused by something else...

[chipmunk]

Originally Posted by YamahaR86

How many miles on the car that this has happened twice?


I have a 2013 model that I bought brand new, has lower miles than most (50k).

First time was around 22-24k miles. Second time was 37k miles ballpark.

Got the car back today. All noises are gone. The Tech said the noise went away when he removed the splash guard. So not quite sure what he did, but now it's smooth and quiet as new!

This is quite strange to me. I was darn sure that it was top hats. I still don't know exactly what was rubbing.

Sent from a potato

[immortal_suby]

I have ~63k miles and it just started for me a few weeks ago and is getting progressively louder. I started out only hearing it going in and out of the garage and now I can hear it sometimes in normal driving. I checked every bolt and nut I could find for proper torque and nothing was loose. I have an appt. with the dealership in January. Hoping for the best and going in with the TSB in hand.