The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi all. New member here after some information. I hope I have this in the appropriate section.

I bought (new) an 05 RS Impreza Hatch. It's coming up to 4 years old and is at the dealer having its clutch plate and pressure plate replaced for the 3rd time. ie - its 4th clutch. It's done 85,000km with an even mix of highway and suburban driving, with virtually none in city traffic. It's done no towing and to be honest I'm a pretty competent operator.

The first 2 replacements were covered by the 3 year manufacturer's warranty but this latest replacement is not. The symptom is shudder at takeoff and at low revs/speed. I suspect the prognosis is glazing on the clutch plate.

I'm wondering if this is a common problem on this or other Subaru models. I'm considering my options under the Fair Trading and Motor Dealer's Acts and would appreciate hearing from anyone else who might be experiencing this recurring clutch issue. Changing out the clutch every 20,000km is just not on.

Thanks in advance and sorry that my first post is so negative.
Waxhead.

Did this model still have the Dual Mass Flywheel?

They work well in theory but in practice there were a lot of issues with these such as not engaging properly, not disengaging properly, etc.

Apparently some Subaru dealers will do a solid flywheel conversion at no charge even outside of warranty, as it is a known issue, but not quite a recall fault, not sure of specifics, can anyone confirm this?

Jordan.

Yep, dual mass.

Its the DMF that causes all the issues.
F*ck putting that back in, as you already know, its going to crap out again.
Do a search on OzLiberty.com, one long thread about the DMF's, and alot of other smaller threads about them too.

Tell the dealer you want these parts put in it;
DMF Replacement Kit (Flexible)
Flywheel - 12342AA090
Flywheel Bolts - 800610740 x 8
Clutch Disk - 30100AA870
Clutch Cover - 30210AA620
Release Bearing - 30502AA051
RRP for those parts is $1347.92.
Trade is $1111.82.
You won't get the shuddering again (or atleast for years).

My DMF shuddered, squeaked, squealed etc, did the clutch kit (as you did), it lasted maybe 6 months then shuddered again.
I was going to get the above parts, but got an aftermarket lightened flywheel and H.D clutch kit for $1200 (trade price, about 2 years ago), haven't looked back in terms of reliability, but every now and then I wish the flywheel had another kg or 2 (bit of prick on hill starts...).

FWIW, a fair few people got the DMF and/or Clutch Kit's replaced after the warranty period was over.
How far out is yours?

While your going, get them to do the Slave Cylinder upgrade.
Hydraulic Upgrade
Slave Cylinder - 30620AA042
Clutch Hose - 37251AC001
Washers - 14130151 x 2
Clutch Pedal Spring - 36037FC030
RRP is $161.71.
Trade is $137.45.

Stops/helps the slave from sticking, and helps with the clutch going stiff after the cars been driven for a while, this is also a fairly common warranty problem.

Yeah, I know. I spoke at length with Subaru's regional-manager-of something-or-other (the bloke who inspects busted parts and decides whether or not Subaru should cover it) and he was adamant that the clutch issues are not related to the DMF.

What I'm hoping for is to gather some evidence of others who have suffered the same expense and annoyance and jam it up his arse and have Subaru pay for it.

It's a great car otherwise but has turned me off buying another Subaru. I love how it drives but it's just not cricket when this sort of thing happens repeatedly and the bastards won't take responsibility.

Thanks bobby.

waxhead wrote:Yeah, I know. I spoke at length with Subaru's regional-manager-of something-or-other (the bloke who inspects busted parts and decides whether or not Subaru should cover it) and he was adamant that the clutch issues are not related to the DMF.

He's a liar.
Ask him why they released the Flexible kit then.

Also, ring up Subaru customer service (write down time, date and name of person), tell them and ask if its a fairly common thing. They might slip up and tell you it is.

Can you give me a brief rundown of what the flexible kit is and does?

Warranty ran out 8 months ago.

It replaces the DMF with a standard type solid flywheel, and clutch kit to suit.
On the bulletin, they said it may increase NVH.

I'm pretty sure on OzLiberty there was a few people that had been out of warranty for that long and if not longer.

Righto Bobbyjimmy,

Clutch was replaced and flywheel deglazed. Dealer took for a drive and still there was shudder. Subaru have now agreed to supply without charge a new clutch as per your part numbers and a solid flywheel. Dealer wants to go halves in the labour so my cost is $230. Still pissed that I'm paying anything at all but a reasonable result if I don;t have to worry about this p*ss-poor setup anymore.

So, how bad is this increased drive train noise? Anyone needed to replace gearbox and diff bearings yet?

Thanks for the help, Bobby. Appreciate it.

No worries, at least it got sorted.

I didn't have to replace bearings, not sure on other thou.