Clunking/Noise from Front Suspension

[Zetsubou Sensei]

Tl;dr at the bottom.

 

Hey all,

 

I noticed at least one other thread about this issue and wanted to see if anyone else was having this issue.

 

A little over a year ago I took my 2016 Legacy into the dealership because I was hearing a strange noise when I drove over bumps. The sound the car made when I drove over an uneven surface sounded like the a part of the car was clucking and loose.

 

After 2 visits to the dealership, on the second one I was able to get them to acknowledge there was an issue and also confirmed that it did not occur on another Legacy and was therefore non-standard. Following this, I was told my steering rack was loose and that the entire rack had to be replaced. At the time, I had just past 36k miles and run out of the factory warranty but thankfully I had purchased an extended warranty from a member from the forums here to extend my warranty (I'll like to them in the AM because he was great to work with and gave me an excellent deal).

 

Fast forward to a literal year from my first appointment, I begin to notice the same noise. My car is currently in the shop again and is awaiting examination from a specialized tech according to the dealership to double check if this truly is the issue I am having.

 

The service specialist claimed that there were two versions of the steering rack: Version 1, will require a replacement again if installed; Version 2, requires only a tightening of a new spring that eliminates that issue.

 

 

I'd like to know how many of you are having this issue and how many have had to pay for it out of pocket. I am beginning to believe there may be a defect that Subaru hadn't addressed.

 

 

 

Tl;Dr: Took my car in last April for front suspension noises, turned out I needed a replacement steering rack because the original had come loose. One year later same noise comes back and now car is in dealership awaiting further examination. Anyone having this issue? Possible defects that aren't addressed by Subaru?

 

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[bubshoe]

I started hearing that noise on mine the other day, at 40k. i'm going to make an appointment with the dealer and see if they can hear it too.

 

Have you had any updates yet?

[Mruby87]

I also am having a similar issue on my 2015 Legacy limited. However, my noise happens upon braking and coming to a complete stop - almost like the suspension is settling or something is making contact when the suspension shifts. Definitely is in the front end though. Further, I also notice it when I’m backing into my driveway with the wheels turned (either direction) and moving very slowly. Perhaps also the same problem OP is experiencing?

[IdkWhatUserNameToUse]

My 2015 legacy limited is also making the exact same noise but sounds more towards driver side front. Like a bad ball joint or something. It clunks over rough/unpaved roads at low speed.

[bubshoe]

That's the exact symptom of mine. Uneven or rough roads at low speeds.

 

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[ScoobaruSpud]

There's plenty of posts elsewhere in the forum about a TSB for the new steering rack spring. Generally, the symptom is a rattle from the front driver side wheel well area (like a strut bearing or the like) while the car is cold and driven over uneven roads, like alligator cracked asphalt or chipseal. After a few minutes it seems to go away. There is a TSB regarding this that does not apply to all years in which the symptoms present. My 18 Legacy 3.6R was not included in the span of models Subura identified, but the dealer tried it anyway and it cured my issue. The car is also still under warranty.

 

If this sounds like a fit, check out the TSB and mention this to your service department. I believe its a pretty easy and not expensive fix even if your car is not covered otherwise.

[IdkWhatUserNameToUse]

There's plenty of posts elsewhere in the forum about a TSB for the new steering rack spring. Generally, the symptom is a rattle from the front driver side wheel well area (like a strut bearing or the like) while the car is cold and driven over uneven roads, like alligator cracked asphalt or chipseal. After a few minutes it seems to go away. There is a TSB regarding this that does not apply to all years in which the symptoms present. My 18 Legacy 3.6R was not included in the span of models Subura identified, but the dealer tried it anyway and it cured my issue. The car is also still under warranty.

 

 

 

If this sounds like a fit, check out the TSB and mention this to your service department. I believe its a pretty easy and not expensive fix even if your car is not covered otherwise.

 

 

 

Eli5: what’s a tsb

[ammcinnis]

What's a TSB?

It's a Technical Service Bulletin, issued by Subaru to its dealer service departments, usually intended to describe a new service policy or procedure, or to address a specific known problem. Edited June 4, 2019 by ammcinnis

[IdkWhatUserNameToUse]

Anyone have photos or know the location of the issue of loose bolts or whatever? I just tightened one bolt but not sure if that was it.

[ammcinnis]

I just tightened one bolt but not sure if that was it.

Was that bolt intended to be tightened? Did you use the proper torque? You can do more damage than good just tightening random fasteners.

[sungrabNYC]

I am having the same issue when going over small bumps and potholes. Sounds like i got 2 pair of empty cans tight together and hanging. shouldnt this be a recall if we are all having the same issue?

[13Legacy01]

For what it’s worth, my ‘13 2.5i also has this issue - clunking at slow speeds over rough or uneven payment.

 

It’s rather high-pitched. The noise sounds like two tin cans quickly hitting each other repeatedly and then the sound comes to a quick halt.

 

The car has done this for as long as I can remember (126k now) but I’ve never had any serious issues, mechanical failures, or parts needing urgent replacement. The car has always been serviced at/inspected by Subaru and in fact, I’ve never done any repairs other than regular maintenance.

 

Could this be a heat shield issue?

[IdkWhatUserNameToUse]

Was that bolt intended to be tightened? Did you use the proper torque? You can do more damage than good just tightening random fasteners.

 

 

 

Yea

[Climber76]

I had the TSB tension spring replacement on the steering rack done by the dealer on my 16 Legacy. They did it at no charge even though the car was out of warranty. The new spring completely fixed the low speed rattle. It changed the steering feel substantially, making it heavier and slightly vague on center. It doesn't return to center as readily after small deflections. Either that has improved or I have gotten more used to it because I'm OK with the car now. Initially I thought I was going to have to get rid of it because I didn't like the feel.