What a Croc.

Seriously that's a nifty Croc.

Amazing that such a simple thing can cause so much grief, and it's such an unintuitive thing - who would have thought? This will save the sanity of many.

 

Lol. Yea I was thinking the same. I still don't know exactly what this little spring does, but from what I can gather it has the primary job of taking up some of the steering backlash. I just don't understand how such a small spring could do that job! In any case hopefully this is a permanent fix... I'll plan to update in a year or so.

 

would that be covered under warranty?? (after reading the bulletin, I see that it is)

 

Also a really good example of an instructional video: no wasted time blabbing at the camera.

Except for: threading the replacement screw into an aluminum housing with a power tool. Even at slow speed, hand threading initially is a better idea.

 

I winced at that part too. Whenever practical I do things by hand. If something isn't threading smoothly you can feel it before it's too late.

 

Man, can't slip anything past you guys!😅 Yes, agreed 100%, do as I say but not as I do. Was just way easier to do that with one hand while filming.

 

Great writeup; I have already been under there once and could not figure out where it was. I will fix the clunk this weekend. Thanks Much

 

Now if we could just get a dozen of those springs for cheap. The rattle came back on me after a few thousand miles when changed. Although I haven't heard it in last couple of months. Maybe winter has something to do with it. The front end rattle and the dashboard noise have been silent since the colder weather. Guess we'll find out later this year.

 

Anyone know what that part does?

 

The spring provides preload to the engagement between the toothed rack and its mating pinion gear. This is a very common design feature of rack and pinion steering mechanisms, and not unique to Subaru.

 

Following so I don't lose this as it seems that my 2019 may start to be showing this clunking behavior in the front left. Kinda like a hollow clunking/rattling sound with I hit bumps or potholes. Need an oil change in about 6-700 miles or so, figured I would take the service bulletin in have them look into it and fix it. I will probably call to get the spring in first though so I don't have to deal with 2 visits. This right here is why this forum rules!

 

Thank you, I believe this is the fix for my 2018 3.6R, rumble on bumpy roads. Don’t hear that rumble any other time.

 

I have the exact same issue. Going to try this fix also, thank you so much for posting this fix.

 

Thanks for posting this! I saw the bulletin, but I didn't want to pay Subaru to do it...that noise has been driving me nuts. Planning on doing it myself this weekend thanks to this video!

 

Completed the fix, still have the problem......

 

Hey fellas,

Like apparently VERY many of you, I had the notorious front end clunking/rattling noise coming from the front left of my '16 3.6R when driving over small bumps and potholes. It was really obvious and annoying when driving on wash boarded gravel roads, or when the left tires drove over raised lane divider bumps. I sifted through many pages of the mega thread on the issue and extracted the necessary info to figure out that it was likely the tiny little EPS spring that was at the root of the issue:

Front End Rattle/Clunk

Good Morning Everyone, My car is a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6r. I have the dash rattle that sounds like it is coming from center speaker and saw the thread on that (can't wait to see if it fixes the issue). The new problem I'm experiencing is different. While driving over rough roads (which are...

www.subaruoutback.org

Luckily this turned out to be the case, so I thought I'd pay it forward and document the details and process on video for anyone else with this issue. This video walks through the procedure to fix the issue, per Subaru's technical service bulletin 04-17-17R, dated 08/20/2019.:

TSB link here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164192-0001.pdf
Subaru spring kit (P/N 34130AL010, ~$20) here: 34130AL010 - Spring kit - Genuine Subaru Part
TS40 "Torx Plus" bit (~$7) here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TC79LVH

Simple and straight forward procedure, should only take you about 10 minutes after watching the video. Cheers!

Can't thank you enough for this video! It's been three days since I changed out the spring and the morning temps have been in the high 40's to mid 50's... I've not heard that "rattle/clunk" sound since. By the way, I had to contact a MATCO tool truck rep to buy the BTP40P bit. Thanks again!

 

I performed this fix over the weekend. Took the car for a spin at slow speed to reacquaint myself with the sound - I've been commuting on my motorcycle the last few weeks. I used a Keen sandal instead of a crock. You need an extension to clear the plastic cover mounting point, otherwise your torque wrench probably won't fit. The BTP40P bit fits in a 5/16th socket if you don't have a holder for it. Probably took me 1/2 hour total. The rattle is gone. Thanks for posting this.

 

Thanks for the detailed information. I have the same noise, but mine is coming from the right front. Has everyone else been the left front only?

 

Hey fellas,

Like apparently VERY many of you, I had the notorious front end clunking/rattling noise coming from the front left of my '16 3.6R when driving over small bumps and potholes. It was really obvious and annoying when driving on wash boarded gravel roads, or when the left tires drove over raised lane divider bumps. I sifted through many pages of the mega thread on the issue and extracted the necessary info to figure out that it was likely the tiny little EPS spring that was at the root of the issue:

Front End Rattle/Clunk

Good Morning Everyone, My car is a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6r. I have the dash rattle that sounds like it is coming from center speaker and saw the thread on that (can't wait to see if it fixes the issue). The new problem I'm experiencing is different. While driving over rough roads (which are...

www.subaruoutback.org

Luckily this turned out to be the case, so I thought I'd pay it forward and document the details and process on video for anyone else with this issue. This video walks through the procedure to fix the issue, per Subaru's technical service bulletin 04-17-17R, dated 08/20/2019.:

TSB link here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164192-0001.pdf
Subaru spring kit (P/N 34130AL010, ~$20) here: 34130AL010 - Spring kit - Genuine Subaru Part
TS40 "Torx Plus" bit (~$7) here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TC79LVH

Simple and straight forward procedure, should only take you about 10 minutes after watching the video. Cheers!

Thank you and the torque set on Amazon $7.49 works great too! 18Nebraska

 

I tried it this morning and did not resolve the clunking sound that started on my 2015 3.6R a few months ago. Was fine for a few months after I installed my Ironman ATS suspension too.

 

Anyone know what the thread size is of the replacement screw? A shop monkey stripped out the housing and I'd like to helicoil it.

 

Has someone know or has successfully installed the Subaru spring kit (P/N 34130AL010 on the 2016 2.5i Limited?

Thanks, Kevin

 

Has someone know or has successfully installed the Subaru spring kit (P/N 34130AL010 on the 2016 2.5i Limited?

Thanks, Kevin

Trim or engine does not make a difference. All 2015-2019 Outbacks will use that kit.

 

Thank you. Will need to do it because I hear some rattling too. Luckily I checked and have the correct sandal tool here.

 

Checking in to say thanks and this worked for my 2016 3.6. Dealer wanted to change the whole rack at $900+ just for the part. I used my daughter's converse all star.

 

Just did this 5mins ago. Two things to note:
1. Did anyone else have their spring covered in a white grease? mine was covered in it when I pulled it out.
2. If you look closely at the pic below, you can see the old spring (with grease) and the new spring. The new one is both a thicker wire, AND longer for more preload.

 

Just did this 5mins ago. Two things to note:
1. Did anyone else have their spring covered in a white grease? mine was covered in it when I pulled it out.

Yes mine had grease. I soaked the new one in a cap of Subaru ATF then installed it.

 

100% of all the clunks I had up front over rough road are gone.

Wish I knew about this 6months ago.

 

It's amazing how one little thing like this can fix something that is so freaking annoying. Been dealing with the rattle for a month, 10 min to swap out the spring and bolt and quiet....