B9 Tribeca Suspension Questions

cptplt

you live in New England?? get Nokian WRs and you get proper snow traction besides a much better ride than the OEM eagle LS. I ditched my eagle LS at 600 miles and I have 34K now on the WRs and still over 6/32in, a co worker who got a Tribeca has put on 28K on eagle Ls and needs new tires already -she's down to under 4/32in - she just picked up my old set. She tried my Tribeca in the snow for a day and couldn't believe the difference the WRs made in the snow compared to her stock Eagles.

morey000

Check out the tire rack web site. It has thousands of reviews on every tire imaginable. some clearly rise to the top.

That said, I don't think Tire Rack sells the Nokian WRs which have quite a passionate following. they won't be the cheapest tires- but I'll second the vote for them for New England conditions.

ericclamage

My B9 clunked for a variety of reasons. The clunk you feel in the floor is from the top motor mount weld failing and it has ripped off the firewall (under your feet). There is a recall for this problem. My second clunk was from the sway bar bushings failing at 30,000 miles. My third clunk was from the struts failing at 35,000 miles. My fourth clunk was from the control arm bushings failing at 35,000 miles as well. I guess I bought a clunker! Besides these issues, my B9 has now become an electrical nightmare. The headlights blow every 3 months as do the interior lights. Now the taillights have started to blow on a regular basis as well. My door locks have blown, my power seat wiring harness has blown (twice) and my power seat control switches have imploded and broke 3 times so far.I guess I now have a clunker that blows! lol It must have been built on a monday after a drunken 4th of July weekend. It is a LEMON and I am not accustomed to this type of lack of quality/ My other 3 Subarus were perfect. This one sucks!

ericclamage

The top motor mount has ripped off the firewall because of faulty welds.If you feel the clunk in the floor when going over a bump - this is the problem (there is a service bulletin about this)

ericclamage

Oh don't worry - it is a normal event! I have 70K on my Tribeca and when they first went at 35K I asked if it was going to happen again at 70K - They said no - but they were wrong- they failed at 70,111 miles - just as I anticipated.

bgunit68

same here. The first time was 26,000. The second time was 54,000. We are now at 77,000 and they are in need of replacement again.

edwamy

Did they solve the "clunking" problem on the 2008 tribeca? if not what can i do to avoid it? i understand that i can have a bushing greased in the front suspension, but am not clear on which one. thanks

ttentelh

I have a 2008 tribeca limited with DVD and Navigation and camera and so far is running smooth. No problems whatsoever

ateixeira

Sway bars bushings should be lubed, if that's what you're asking.

Each time you rotate the tires, the wheels are off so you have easy access. Just get a can of spray lithium grease and lube each one. It takes 3 seconds per corner if the wheel is off.

hectoro27

Today I took my B9 to have the clunking fixed and the passenger side headlight replaced because it blew out Saturday night. The other day one of the map lights(driver side) was blinking but it hasn't blown out. Hope I don't go through the same 'electrical nightmare' you have experienced.

nhsteve

So I am back again after a long time away... working too much.

So is the clunck back. I noticed your note about the motor mount weld failure, where can I find info on the service bulliten about that?

Would this have anything to do with two dimples that have show up on the right fender above the front right wheel area? The dimples have cracket the paint and are definately from INSIDE to the outside?

I need tires and brakes pluse the clunk noise fixed... maybe shocks or something in the suspension fixed. Any suggestions on the tires?

Thanks from Steve in NH

cjlbrown

1I have a 2006 Tribeca and have had the struts replaced on both sides and the sway bar replaced. I now am having the check engine light come on and it has been in the shop 4 times for that. They couldn't figure out what the codes meant so they put new contacts on. It came back on and now they say I need a new valve vault or something like that. Anyone else have this problem? It is in the shop more than out. I only bought it because my other 4 subarus were wonderful

cjlbrown

I have had my Tribeca in four times for the check engine light. They couldn't figure out the codes, turned it off and said keep going the first time. The second time they replaced contacts or something. It is back in and now they say it is a fatal error (same as the third time) and needs a valve vault or something like that. Have never had trouble with any of my other subarus and that is why I got the Tribeca it's first year out. Anyone know anything else about that?

Maginty

Mine is in the shop for the same thing. Not only the motor mounts but the firewall is rusted out so bad they have nothing to re-weld to. Subaru is supposedly paying for the new firewall though so I guess I can't complain too loudly. The service manager said this would be a one time only necessary fix and it would never need fixing again. Sounds like from your experience it's an every 30,000 mile fix huh? Mine just turned 27,000 miles old.

edwamy

Does anyone know if I would need an alignment following the replacement of front stabilizer links and bushings? Dealer didn’t mention it but would hate to discover my tires are wrecked.

ericclamage

Rusted - Oh great - I can't wait - In the meantime, I am going on my 3rd set of sway bar and control arm bushings. I guess riding around with a big lemon and Subaru's suck signs on my car wasn't enough. How did your firewall rust through in 27,000 miles? I'm now afraid to look at where mine was fixed. Are they replacing the entire firewall or just the rotted area? Do you drive your Tribeca in the ocean and use it as a submarine or is this just another example of crappy engineering? If you have a warm and fuzzy feeling about the dealer - just wait until you go back with the long list of items to be fixed. Hope you bought the extended warranty (from Subaru and not an "aftermarket" warranty - the other ones they push are useless) because your going to need it!

ericclamage

Replace them with what was on the car when you got it. I had 60K on my original tires and they were still in good shape - but replaced anyway for the winter months. If there is one good thing I can say about the car - it gets great tire mileage. Other than that - it still sucks! BTW, I did find the short that was burning out my headlights, tail lights and rear lights. For $50 I'll tell you where it is! If it's the dealer asking - it's 10 grand! lol

ateixeira

I don't think so...just how bad were the old bushings?

Mostly that would just let the bar flex and minimize the anti-roll effect it's supposed to have.

I don't think it affects the alignment much because when you drive straight there's no roll for the anti-roll bars to act against.

ericclamage

He is right - no need for an alignment - but hearing that friggin clunking noise when you hit the tinest bump is annoying. You would figure after replacing this part over and over again - that they would come up with a sturdier material. I guess they are thinking more about how sales stink than dealing with a repetative issue with consumers

ateixeira

Have you looked to see if the aftermarket supplies urethane bushings?

They can't cost much. Better to fix it than to just complain about it, even if it comes out of pocket.

edwamy

are urethane bushings more durable? does anyone know if they exist in the aftermarket.

ericclamage

I get them fixed for free one more time (I have 92K on it now) so the 4th time I replace them (not having Subaru do the work) when i hit 120K (yes, i will keep it that long) then at that point, I will see if better bushing are available. Maybe, just maybe, they have already changed the material - but I doubt it.

ateixeira

Forester offered them because they used the same ones that the Impreza used. Not sure about the Tribeca but it's worth a search.

cbrman600

My wife's 06 Tribeca has the clunking issue. only 45K miles on it!!

The dealer said the sway bar bushings and the control arms are shot. $1000 in repairs, thank god we have the subaru extended warantee! Otherwise, we would have had to pay for a major defect that Subaru is choosing to ignore.

I'm embarrassed by what looks to be a major defect, and Subaru is letting all of us owners deal with it one by one (no recall). I have a 01 WRX myself, and I tout the quality of Subaru to all my friends. I have to say after this, I think we're finished with Subaru. They are the only car maker to make a profit last quarter.. they should take care of their customers.. especially during these economic times dare they fall into the -50% growth like other car makers...

edit (sp)

bug4

I just purchased a 06 Tribeca and the prior owner had replaced the bushings at about 21,000 miles. The truck only has 22,400 on it now. But, foreseeing that there may be several trips to the shop for suspension problems in my future, perhaps it would be wise for me to buy a Subaru extended warranty. I looked into it and it will cost about $1,200. Has anyone used the Subaru-backed extended warranty, NOT the original warranty, to make any of these suspension repairs? Thanks!

kraymo

Hello all,
This is my first time on here. It seems to be a great help. I purchased a 2009 tribeca in August of 2008. Six months later I am hearing a "creeking" or "groaning" noise from the front and/or rear end. I brought it in 3 times and it is still there. They replaced the stabilizer bar bushings on the front end, but the problem is still there. The car only has 17,000 miles on it. I have been reading similar issues on here. It is a concern to me. Can anyone shed any light on the subject?

Thanks, Keith

cjlbrown

I had mine replace at 60,000 and I'm going to have to have it done again at 115,000
I was told it was a design flaw and that is why the new Tribecas are no longer called B9: bad vibes with the old name. Can't afford to sell it so will have to get it done again. First time Subaru helped with it by paying half. Think I'm on my own now.

ericclamage

Be careful - Subaru sells 2 different warranties - one from them (more expensive) and the other from an "aftermarket" supplier. The aftermarket warranty sucks big time. They claim they are similar but they are NOT! Regarding your suspension noise - if they changed the bushings only (which fail every 30K based on my 100K worth of experience) and didn't change the links on the ends which connect it to the front suspension (which have a different type of bushing) this is where your noise is coming from. The other possibility (and this one is coming) is every time you hit the gas, you hear a clunk and it feels like the floor is moving slightly, the motor mount has ripped off the firewall (which happened to me twice). Needless to say, the Tribeca is gone and I am back in an American made car.

ericclamage

Regarding your suspension noise - if they changed the bushings only (which fail every 30K based on my 100K worth of experience) and didn't change the links on the ends which connect it to the front suspension (which have a different type of bushing) this is where your noise is coming from. The other possibility (and is more likely) is the creaking and moaning comes every time you hit the gas, you hear a clunk or a groan. Sometimes it feels like the floor is moving slightly. If this is the case, either the upper motor mount has ripped off the firewall (which happened to me twice) or the bushings in the motor mount from the firewall to the top of the engine have also gone bad. The creaking and groaning is exactly how my car felt when the welds on the motor mount failed. They for some reason don't tell you this and it but this failure is noted in their special service bulletins Subaru publishes. Needless to say, the Tribeca is gone and I am back in an American made car.

kraymo

Thanks for responding. It sounds more like your first solution. They did not change the links. I am disappointed. The car is brand new and I already have issues like this. I have owned nissans and toyotas as well as other cars and never had issues like this. They should be able to diagnose the problem fairly easy and fix it. It is becoming a real concern to me. I hope I didn't purchase a lemon. They also found a problem with the master cylinder and the brake booster. I am not happy.

Thanks again. I'll keep you posted to the outcome.

sweetpete

Has there been a recall for the control arm problem? If not, perhaps it's time for a bunch of us to pester Subaru about it.

sept2martin

Have had the same problem since day one!!
My dealers have likewise not been helpful.
Obviously with all these posts there is a definite problem!
Subaru needs to wake up!

sweetpete

On Friday I replaced the front sway bar bushings. Problem solved. Took about 15 minutes per side. Easy fix.

ateixeira

Glad to hear it.

babicak

i will do it tomorow on mine 06 Tribeca

hotte

my Tribeca has also a noice in the right front side.
maybe its the same resaon then yours.
I am german and my english is not good enough to understand what a sway bar bushing is ? can you explain ist in another way ? thanks

sweetpete

I'm going to assume you know what a sway bar is. If you get underneath your vehicle, you'll see that the sway bar is attached to the bottom of your vehicle at 4 points - 2 next to each wheel, and 2 to the underside of the vehicle. The bushings are the thick rubber rings that attach the sway bar to the underside. Hope that makes sense!

xwesx

More on a sway bar....

The sway bar is a steel bar that connects the suspension on one side of the vehicle to the suspension on the opposite side. As such, it is quite distinct (visually) from other parts that are also under the vehicle. Once you locate the bar, the bushings (described by sweetpete) become quite obvious.

babicak

don't worry . I'm Czech . It worked.. I just change them bushings, and the noise is gone . THANK YOU ALL!!!!! Bushing is the rubber part underneath the "U" clamp witch is holding the sway bar in two places under you car .

ericclamage

Well, I'm glad that my bitching has fixed the problem for so many Tribeca owners with clunking in the front end. I still dont see how Subaru considers it normal for these parts to wear out every 36,000 miles but I guess its the corporate way. Anyone interested in a Toyota Prius cheap? lol

ateixeira

I'll give you $500 for it.

The panic cracks me up. Just push it in to neutral if you're one of the 0.000001% affected.

babicak

it is not over. Pretty soon they will make mandatory emergency "stop car "push button on all models . So our nice gov. can connect with ours cars and stop it for us if we are in trouble :confuse: (even if we are not ?).

ateixeira

With a GPS sender so The Man can track us anywhere we go.

I'm not paranoid. Just ask all the people following me. :P

drbrousters

These will fit perfectly and have zerk fittings that you can lube:

Energy Suspension 9.5165G

Found them at Amazon! In Sexy Red!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspens...tag=dogpile-20

Others:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EN...G/?image=large

http://performanceparts.com/product_group.php?vendor=&pgid=21&sgid=127&orderBy =MembersPOPRank%20ASC&page=3

diiia

More data for you about my 06 B9 w/52,000 miles:
Asked the dealer about loose/clunking front end. They looked. Said it was worn tie rod ends. I asked why the front end would be wearing at 50k. He blamed my driving. So rather than have him tinker with the tie rods, I took the car to an independent mechanic. He found the sway bar bushings were new (dealer must have replaced those but not said anything). And he found the control arm bushings were "wiped out." I had him replace them and brought the old parts home to look at. Indeed the rubber bushings were torn about 50% through. Car drives much better. Slight clunk left which mechanic believes is worn upper bearing plates and the struts. That's next. Also replaced the tires - dealer offered replacement Goodyear Eagle LS2 for $260 each! I bought Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 XL. Don't have many hours on them but they're quieter and can't be any worse than the Eagles in rain.

eyesfirst

I have an 06 with 46k miles, same problem. at first the dealer replaced the stabilizer links and link bushings but it made no difference, then they replaced the bushings connecting the stabilizer bar to the car frame, BIG difference, it rides smooth and quiet now, even over low speed bumps which is where the noise was the worst. However, I still think it's a wee bit clunky on some low speed bumps, which could either be the way this car rides OR strut bearing bushings, I'm going to go a few hundred miles and see if it worsens, if it does it's probably the strut bushings, if not then this is probably the way the car normally sounds

abaton6

I ordered these "Energy Suspension 9.5165G" They are 1- 1/4" dia......WRONG SIZE. My 07 has a 1" sway bar. Guess I should have measured mine first. Lesson learned.

ateixeira

Do they fit, though? You could consider that an upgrade, FWIW.

shan9

So glad to stumble upon this forum after multiple attempts to fix the front end clunking of my used 07...so far control arm bushings, struts and stabilizer bar control link have been replaced...still clunking...taking it back in...seems as if others have had success with replacing the sway bar bushing....maybe ill recommend this?

ru_number_5

I just had the 60K maintenance done, along with new rear brake pads (just under $1,000) and I was told I have issues with front and rear suspension. Front struts are leaking, rear struts showing wear, rear control arm bushings are broken and an alignment will be needed. The total for repair is estimated at $990 for struts and $80 for alignment (another $1k! :sick:). I trusted this shop, but they seemed to have cleaned house and have a whole new management crew. I've read many of the above posts and see this is an issue for the B9Tri, but I'm wondering if the cost is competitive? Thanks!