Just bought a '96 Outback and I'm getting a knock that sounds like the suspension is bottoming out. This is happening on even the smallest bumps in the road.

 

Any suggestions?

Can you tell where it is coming from? Could be struts, strut mounts, and/or spring seats. It could also be any number of other things. How many miles?

 

Our '99 with ~150k miles makes a noise from the front. The struts are still in pretty good shape but I think the strut mounts are going bad. I will be replacing the front struts, strut mounts, and spring seats some time this year. I did the rears a couple of months ago.

 

If you aren't familiar with suspensions it's probably worth a trip to your favorite repair shop for diagnosis.

There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) about a clunk in the steering column when one goes over bumps with the steering wheel turned. Is that similar to your noise? I can't remember the number but a search on "legacy steering clunk" may turn something up.

 

Also, one of the struts was bad (leaking) on the front of my '97, I had to replace both before 90K miles. Because the one was bad I ended up bending the mount.

 

Steve

 

edit: this turned up when I searched for TSB, but I still don't know the number:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/usmb/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5653&highlight=TSB

 

This thread refers to the situation I'm describing.

I mentioned this in reply to someone else with a similar deal ... might be worth a look. I had a loud clunk over ever little bump...came from the left rear. Couldn't figure it out. Mechanic checked the shocks and they were fine. Looking under the car, I discovered the stabilizer bracket had rusted through and the stabilizer bar was bouncing around and the part of the bracket still attached to the bar was banging under the car. $15 part and a pretty simple repair.

 

So, I would drive around and pay attention to the FEEL of the ride going over the bump and try to ignore the sound. If it feels like the suspension is doing its job, but you still hear the clunk, take a peek under the rear fender.

 

Odd thing is, the right side (just as old, of course) has no rust problem. A bit off topic, but I've read somewhere that these MYs and similar had problems with rust on the left rear of the car. Something about the exhaust condensation not clearing as it should. I've noticed a good deal of rust around the left side tailgate strut and the left side door clasp.

My 96 Legacy has the same lefty rust problem. Replaced my hatch latch because of the rust, too.