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Strut Mount Question
Greetings fellow SVX fans,
I purchased my 1995 LSI in June and have always had a strange clunking sound coming from the front end whenever riding over fairly small bumps or washboard type ripples in blacktop. I took it to a local independent shop that seems failry sharp with the SVX. They thought that it may have been the sway bars, removed them, test drove, and sound still there. They now suggest that the strut mounts may be bad. I suppose this is possible, although very difficult to tell for sure without taking the whole assembly apart. I have looked at the SubaruParts website for the parts http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...ategory=210-1, but cannot figure out exactly what parts would be needed to replace the "strut mount". Is it also wise to replace the struts while the whole thing is apart? The shop is estimating 3 hours of labor. The previous owner had the struts replaced but could not say if the mounts where done. The car has 95,000 miles on it and is in fabulous conditions and I would like to make this right. Thanks in advance for any advice. Dave in Reading, PA ps: I have attached a photo of my baby.... |
#2
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Nice SVX
Where is this indy shop the "knows" the SVX?? Sorry I can't help with the front strut problem...
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Dave - 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0 |
#3
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The strut mount is pn 20320 in this diagram: http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=210-1
I would go ahead and replace the struts while you are at it. At 95k miles they are most likely bad or on their way out. You have to dismantle the whole thing to take out the strut anyway.
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Collin 1995 L AWD Locker 1987 Porsche 944 turbo 80k miles. MBC + Chips. Relatively Stock |
#4
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Your mechanic is very likely to be correct about the strut mount causing the clunking noise. As SVXer95 says, replace the struts while you're at it. They are at the end of their life.
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Mychailo :: 2006 Silver Mitsubishi Evolution 9, E85, 34 psi peak, 425wtq/505whp DJ :: 1995 Laguna Blue SVX L AWD 5MT (sold) Visit my locker SVX Mods: ND iridium spark plugs, Impreza RS fpr, afr tuned to 13.2:1 using a custom MAF bypass, custom exhaust, WRX 5MT w/ STi RA 1st-4th gear & stock WRX 5th gear, Exedy 13 lb flywheel & Sport Clutch, STi Group N tranny & engine mounts, urethane spacers in rear subframe, rear diff mounts, and pitch stopper, SVX Sport Strut Springs (185f/150r), custom 19 mm rear swaybar, urethane swaybar mounts, Rota Torque 17x8", 225/45-17 Proxes 4 tires, Axxis Deluxe Plus organic brake pads. |
#5
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YES.......PLUS!
In order to "upgrade" AND maintain my SVX, I added Dayle's drop springs (1" front, 1/2" rear) and Koni strut inserts (93,000 miles) + ball joints for good measure>>> I LOVE IT ALL
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IF YOU WANT TO CORNER BETTER WITH A LITTLE STIFFER RIDE!!!!
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Jim 1995 Laguna Blue SVX AWD L - 240K (daily driver) - "ReBuILT" used engine at 236K miles (6/13) 2013 Veloster Red - Driver Now??Dropsprings [1/2" rear, 1" front] with Koni Strut Inserts> Magnaflow Exhaust System> ECUTune Stage 1av1 Upgrade (from 1v4)> ECUTune TCU MOD> Aluminum Crankshaft Pulley> Stainless Brake Lines> Phenolic Spacers> Perforated Brake Rotors (dint like, OEM now)> SmallCar Shift Kit (resting since TCU MOD)> 7-Position Ground System> High-Pressure Fuel Pressure Regulator (resting)> ATF Cooler & Campaign Filter> Yellow Polish Polyurethane Bushings> Pioneer Double-DIN Stereo with JL AUDIO Speakers> Driveshaft Rebuilt with C-Clip U-Joints> 15 Min MOD> 20 Min MOD .. . (2011) Valentine One Radar Detector with Remote Display - ucan'tseeme! |
#6
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It could also be the caliper mountng hardware being worn enough to allow the capiler to rattle. A heckuva lot cheaper. The early 92's had a retro mount available which was incorporated into all later production models to address this problem. The mounts could be the culprit(s), anything can wear out, but I'd be hesitant to jump on that boat right away.
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ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#7
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Dave, For clarity, you did say the previous owner replaced the struts before you purchased the car. Very unlikely that they're used up already at the stated mileage. If the "clunk" you describe is a "singular" clunk, rather than a rattle (typical caliper "shake") my guess is it's either the strut mounts or the ball joints. I would recommend lifting each front corner, removing the wheel, and getting a good look at the BJ's, looking for bad/ripped/torn rubber and damage(leaking, dripping grease) or looseness when applying any turning or lifting force to the hub. I replaced mine some months ago, curing the clunk, only to then replace both calipers (w/rebuilts) and pads and replace the previous noise with the caliper rattle on the left front The ball joints are a heck of a lot less work to replace than the mounts too.
Glenn Nice car by the way!!!
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket Last edited by RojoRocket; 10-27-2004 at 10:22 PM. |
#8
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I too had a noise similar to the noise you describe when I firts got my SVX with 90k miles on it. I replaced the front struts and upper strut mount and ball joint. It did not fix the noise. I stll have the parts I took out and there still good.
I suggest you get a can of silicone lube, jack the front end up and spray the spindle of the strut wher it goes into the strut. See if that helps the noise for awhile. Then try spraying the rubber bushing in the lower control arms where the rubber cushions move forward/backward and contact the sub frame. Oh by the way I really like your SVX Please sell it to me. The noise could also be the subframe. Thanks for saying you tried it with the sway bar removed. I was think about doing that.
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#9
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Nice car, welcome to the site.
Listed above are very good suggestions but I wouldn't go replacing parts without getting it diagnosed properly. There are many things that will cause rattles in the front of our cars and it wouldn't make sense changing things without confirming there's a problem with them. p.s. - your wheels...err...I mean urethane rock guards are on backwards.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
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