://rideekulo.us deeks.web.blog.random

28Aug/112

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Hatch – “theNoise” (Broken welds[?] = Squeak) *RESOLVED[?]*

Update 2011.09.16: At this point I'm quite comfortable with saying that this issue was definitely related to the passenger side hatch damper.  The issue persisted after spot welds were reinforced, and ceased after the dampers were replaced.

This began as a thread entitled " 2008 STi - Broken welds on rear roof support (metal on metal squeak)..." on a Subaru WRX STI enthusiast site, IWSTI.com.  I had some free time so I decided to port it over here for safe keeping as well.  I'll continue to keep both the thread and this post updated as things progress.  Any post by an IWSTI.com member that I reply to I will include here.  There are other replies from interested members in the thread that I didn't reply to, and aren't listed here.  Please follow the link if you'd like those details as well.

Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Hatch)

Problem: Broken welds on roof support near hatch opening causing metal on metal squeaking over bumps or in turns.
Update 2011.08.27; Could this have been misdiagnosed??? <- Click for more information.

29Sep/100

RaceComp Engineering “Yellows” for GR STi (RCE Yellows)… My story.

Manufacturer: RaceComp Engineering
Product Page: http://racecompengineering.com/osc/product_info.php?&products_id=125
Cost: $359 US
Install Difficulty: 2/5  [Installation Manual]

The presence of RaceComp Engineering (RCE) on IWSTI and other enthusiast forums is quite well known.  Sure, they've established a solid reputation for providing great products using their expertise and knowledge only attainable by real world experience.  For me though, what sets RCE apart, is their ability to do this and still maintain efficient communication practices with their customer base, both on a one-on-one basis and in the masses via web forums.  For example, neglecting the three hour time difference, I called Myles at roughly 10pm PT when I was struggling with the removal of the bottom nuts on the front struts.  Mind you, he's located in Maryland, he answered and was surprisingly pleasant with me and discussed the options I had based on what tools I had available to me.  He didn't seem rushed or disrupted at any point during our nearly ten minute conversation...