[greenerob441]

I have a 2011 Outback Premium with less than 1000 miles. I have had the car in 3 times already for various issues which it seems that one by one they are taking care of. The problem that they can't seem to fix is the noise in the front suspension.

It happens some times over bumps when the wheel is straight, but EVERY TIME when I have the wheel turned going over a bump, even at speeds just above a crawl.

For example, I have a 1 inch lip to go over to get into my driveway. It happens going into (right turn) and out of (left turn). First wheel, clunk. Second wheel, clunk.

Another example is when you are turning into or out of a business. You can't exactly roll into it at 0.5 mph. When you do this it is very noticeable.

I have had cars with bad struts. This doesn't seem to be the problem. Has anyone else had this issue?

I have included the laundry list of issues so far below:



Issues to start (part 1):
Bad shake
Pull to right
Suspension clunking over bumps when turning

Repairs (part 1):
3 new tires
1 remaining was road forced

Issues (part 2):
Still shaking
Still pulls
Still clunks
Tech chipped all 4 wheels when he replaced the tires

Repairs (part 2):
Re-road forced the tires
4 new rims
Aligned

They still can't find anything wrong with the suspension.

 

[fatabbot]

I have this issue, too, but choose to just ignore it. Really only happens at very low speeds and usually just in my alley.

It doesn't bother me because my prior car kept blowing front struts (until I ponied up for Konis), so a little noise is a lot less than I was used to

Let us know how it works out for you. :29:

 

[Erik]

I have a 2011 Outback Premium with less than 1000 miles. I have had the car in 3 times already for various issues which it seems that one by one they are taking care of. The problem that they can't seem to fix is the noise in the front suspension.

It happens some times over bumps when the wheel is straight, but EVERY TIME when I have the wheel turned going over a bump, even at speeds just above a crawl.

For example, I have a 1 inch lip to go over to get into my driveway. It happens going into (right turn) and out of (left turn). First wheel, clunk. Second wheel, clunk.

Another example is when you are turning into or out of a business. You can't exactly roll into it at 0.5 mph. When you do this it is very noticeable.

I have had cars with bad struts. This doesn't seem to be the problem. Has anyone else had this issue?

I have included the laundry list of issues so far below:



Issues to start (part 1):
Bad shake
Pull to right
Suspension clunking over bumps when turning

Repairs (part 1):
3 new tires
1 remaining was road forced

Issues (part 2):
Still shaking
Still pulls
Still clunks
Tech chipped all 4 wheels when he replaced the tires

Repairs (part 2):
Re-road forced the tires
4 new rims
Aligned

They still can't find anything wrong with the suspension.

It's back! This is the famous Subaru clunk! We had an '09 that was extremely bothersome, and we even contacted SOA to remedy, but they're firm stance was that it's an understood characteristic inherent in some of their vehicles... of course if nothing was wrong I still wonder why they gave us $4,000 to quit bothering them to fix it.

When we got our 2010 replacement, we test-drove the crap out of it to make sure it didn't clunk. The dealer ensured us the 2010 was a ground-up new design, but it's still there, although much quieter and far less often. Subaru is an odd company.

 

[GasGuzz]

green... your build date, pls?

 

[Pool Runner]

My 2011 Premium 2.5i CVT does this too, it's the most annoying part of the car. Mine does this when backing out of my driveway just as either the front left or right front rolls past the curb. Mine feels as if the entire front suspension, control arm, and strut assy are slightly loose.

I took my car down a dried river bed (lots of river rock) when I first got it and thought the entire engine craddle and suspension mounting points had come lose. Any subby techs in here or those with a mechanical background know why this is? I know nothing is wrong with the car, but it would be nice to know if something could be tightened down more or why.

 

[Erik]

My 2011 Premium 2.5i CVT does this too, it's the most annoying part of the car. Mine does this when backing out of my driveway just as either the front left or right front rolls past the curb. Mine feels as if the entire front suspension, control arm, and strut assy are slightly loose.

I took my car down a dried river bed (lots of river rock) when I first got it and thought the entire engine craddle and suspension mounting points had come lose. Any subby techs in here or those with a mechanical background know why this is? I know nothing is wrong with the car, but it would be nice to know if something could be tightened down more or why.

There's nothing you can do! We went through repeated attempts to get our clunking fixed, and basically this clunking is truly an inherent characteristic of some Subarus. We're currently driving a loaner 2011 Forester, and it clunks too, but not too often.

I believe this clunking, like the steering wheel shake, is the result of poor engineering in which the interplay and cumulative affects of individual build-slop (although within spec tolerance for each connection) are not adequately modeled. There's no other way to explain these phenomena, which become apparent only when prototypes go into mass production.

 

[scoobydoo2]

of course if nothing was wrong I still wonder why they gave us $4,000 to quit bothering them to fix it.

...:gasp:...WTF...isn't that tantamount to an admission that something is wrong and that they just can't fix it? That's wacked. I haven't had any suspension probs...I actually really like the way the suspension performs. That said...my old 2001 forester did have the clunk...but at the time, I was too dumb to realize that there might be something wrong.

 

[Erik]

...:gasp:...WTF...isn't that tantamount to an admission that something is wrong and that they just can't fix it? That's wacked. I haven't had any suspension probs...I actually really like the way the suspension performs. That said...my old 2001 forester did have the clunk...but at the time, I was too dumb to realize that there might be something wrong.

YUP!
I can only believe they were under the impression they'd lose a Lemon Law claim had we gone that route. They probably figured it was better to break even on the car by offering the settlement than be forced to buy it back.

 

[lemmy_k]

I have a 2011 Outback Premium with less than 1000 miles. I have had the car in 3 times already for various issues which it seems that one by one they are taking care of. The problem that they can't seem to fix is the noise in the front suspension.

It happens some times over bumps when the wheel is straight, but EVERY TIME when I have the wheel turned going over a bump, even at speeds just above a crawl.

For example, I have a 1 inch lip to go over to get into my driveway. It happens going into (right turn) and out of (left turn). First wheel, clunk. Second wheel, clunk.

Another example is when you are turning into or out of a business. You can't exactly roll into it at 0.5 mph. When you do this it is very noticeable.

I have had cars with bad struts. This doesn't seem to be the problem. Has anyone else had this issue?

I have included the laundry list of issues so far below:



Issues to start (part 1):
Bad shake
Pull to right
Suspension clunking over bumps when turning

Repairs (part 1):
3 new tires
1 remaining was road forced

Issues (part 2):
Still shaking
Still pulls
Still clunks
Tech chipped all 4 wheels when he replaced the tires

Repairs (part 2):
Re-road forced the tires
4 new rims
Aligned

They still can't find anything wrong with the suspension.

Lemon law. Call SOA and let them know. Look it up for your state as results may vary.
I have one more trip for the AC and I am going to start trying to get mine lemon lawed.
Mine doesn't knock in cornering, it's more of a groan, like when you forget to unlock the diff and pull out onto pavement.

 

[urbanamom]

I have a fix.... Turn up the radio ... Seriously, I have heard the noise also. I haven't had any issues so I just ignore it...

 

[walsh28]

Strut clunk

The fix for the clunk is to replace the struts and springs. Took one day and was given a loaner car. No problems since.Also had one tire out of spec I had a slight shake after rotating the tires they replaced and rebalanced all four and have had no problems since. April 2010 build.

 

[Erik]

The fix for the clunk is to replace the struts and springs. Took one day and was given a loaner car. No problems since.Also had one tire out of spec I had a slight shake after rotating the tires they replaced and rebalanced all four and have had no problems since. April 2010 build.

That's not always the case, and in fact your situation is likely the exception. If the clunk were so simple to fix, SOA would have never cut us a check so large to shut up. Before replacing our 2009, I'd read countless stories of individuals replacing numerous parts only for the clunk to remain.

 

[NewbySubbie 1]

My 2011 Outback is at the dealership again for another try to fix this same issue. I first brought it in with only 5200 mi on it. After numerous attempts neither of the two dealership service dept's have resolved the problem. I live 1.5 mi. off a dirt road which is usually rather like a washboard. The rattle/hammering sound is quite extreme. I now have 45000 mi on the car and the sound is getting worse. The service techs can't find the the cause so they have finally decided to throw parts at it. They first were blaming the bake pads of causing the noise but are now replacing the strut and strut tower. i have a Gold Plus extended warranty with a $100 deductible but have told them this issue goes back to the original warranty period and am unwilling to pay anything. Will see if they can even fix the problem.

7/25/14 Just got my outback from the service dept.
Little surprise, as others have said, they don't know what it is or how to fix it. They said that they put a new ball joint on, then a strut and new brake hardware and nothing improved so they took it all back off. They blame my driving over "abnormal road conditions" for the noise problem. I will probably pursue the issue through SOA, but from what other posts stated, I probably won't get far with them. Gotta try though.

 

[mountains83]

There is a TSB for the 2010 OB covering this exact issue, which is frustrating as I have a 2011...with the exact same issue as the 2010. Service Bulletin # 05-49-10R.