OT: 2005 Outback

Mr. Pockets · #1 09-20-2006, 12:45 PM

I dropped my wife's Ootback at the stealership this morning. I took it in a few months ago for a clunk in the front suspension. At the time, they said everything was normal, and that they went over the front suspension and steering carefully to make sure that everything was in good shape.

A couple months later I did the 30,000 miles service myself. It's mostly fluid changes and some 'inspections'

. While rotating the tires, I found a few things that really pissed me off. The bushings, on the inboard side, on both front control arms were ripped. At 32k miles, that made me mad - especially since the dealer sowre they looked at everything closely. The right front strut was also wet, like it had been leaking. Again, this car has 32k miles on it, so what the hell?

The service manager treated my claim of broken suspension parts, after they swore they inspected everything closely, with the appropriate amount of concern. He promised me that, even if there was the slightest doubt a part was bad, that they'd replace it.

I can't wait to hear what they have to say.

I'll let you guys know when I get the car back. I just wanted to post an update on this problem, in case anybody else has a current-gen Ootback and encounters similar problems.

Mr. Pockets · #2 09-20-2006, 01:15 PM

Unbelievably, the dealership just called me. I was totally convinced that I would have to call them. The short version is that they're fixing every last one of my complaints under warranty. I have to say, I really appreciate them not giving me any bull over this, because some of the parts they're replacing are expensive.

1. New control arms. It turns out that the bushings aren't a replaceable part.

2. New front-right strut. It was leaking.

3. New weather-stripping on the driver's door. The original part was installed incorrectly at the factory.

4. New coolant overflow hose. Original was ripped.

5. New left-rear wheel. Corrosion.

Earthworm · #3 09-20-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

...Ootback...

Is that a Canadian version?

Glad to hear they're taking care of the car for you.

RSVX · #4 09-20-2006, 01:31 PM

Wow... thats awesome!

shelfy · #5 09-20-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Is that a Canadian version?

roflmAao!

Mr. Pockets · #6 09-20-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Is that a Canadian version?

Glad to hear they're taking care of the car for you.

Yeah. I mean, it shouldn't really be a surprise that they're just fixing the car, but it is. The last time I took it in for the 'clunk' in the front suspension, they assured me everything was fine and that it was all in my head.

I don't know why I all it the Ootback. I just do.

Earthworm · #7 09-20-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

I don't know why I all it the Ootback. I just do.

- Maybe you're a "Closet Canadian"?

- Maybe your "real" dad's Canadian?

Mr. Pockets: "Mom, is there something you're not telling me aboot?"

Mr. Pockets · #8 09-20-2006, 03:13 PM

I just got back from the stealership, and I guess I spoke too soon. The invoice does, in fact, read that they're ordering new parts to fix every complaint, but the line about the strut says this:

'Customer states front right strut is leaking. Front right strut defective. Ordered front left strut assembly.'

Nice.

Mr. Pockets · #9 10-23-2006, 09:47 AM

I wanted to update this thread, for future reference. The suspension in the car will still clunk over rough pavement. I'm very disappointed in Subaru.

subeman90 · #10 10-23-2006, 03:59 PM

quick question... do you get a clunk when you hit the brakes? I'm wondering about my baja....I think I am going to have to take it back again.....

Mr. Pockets · #11 10-23-2006, 11:13 PM

No, I do not. The clunk happens when going over potholes or sudden bumps. It's most noticeable when the front wheels are turned, even slightly.

Landshark · #12 10-23-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

No, I do not. The clunk happens when going over potholes or sudden bumps. It's most noticeable when the front wheels are turned, even slightly.

crazy jacked-up Ootbacks.

mine doesn't clunk, but its a lot lower to the ground.

taking it back again?

Mr. Pockets · #13 10-24-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

crazy jacked-up Ootbacks.

mine doesn't clunk, but its a lot lower to the ground.

taking it back again?

Not for the clunk. I'm convinced, at this point, that it's just a problem with the model. A brand new one did it, and Worden Martin has tried to make it right by replacing an awful lot of parts. The complaint is documented, so I'm not concerned about problems down the road after the warranty is up.

I have read that earlier Ootbacks have had a similar problem, and that TSBs have been issued to fix it. The fix includes replacing a u-joint in the steering column. Maybe someday Subaru will make a new part for the current Ootbacks, and maybe not. Maybe I need to complain until they do.

Landshark · #14 10-24-2006, 07:58 AM

check this thread, similar symptoms?

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showt...ighlight=clunk

Mr. Pockets · #15 10-24-2006, 09:49 AM

Actually, I found the same thing - the bushings on the front control arms were torn in the same way. I have very, very similar photos. According to the dealer, the bushings are not separate pieces and the whole control arm has to be replaced. So they replaced the control arms on both sides and the car still clunks. I'd believe that they only told me that the bushings couldn't be ordered separately so they could charge me more - but this was all under warranty, so I paid nothing. I suspected that the tearing was within spec, but figured there was no harm in a few new parts.

I even found that the front right strut was leaking, so they replaced that, as well. The car still clunks.

I hate that control arm design, by the way. Bending the rubber bushing like that day in and day out is bound to tear it eventually - and definitely sooner than I would like.