Aftermarket struts

[M Robinson]

I have a 2016 Crosstrek and recently replaced all my struts with aftermarket parts. The right front made an intermittent clunking sound after that and both rear corners rattled.

In trying to diagnose the clunking in the front right I replaced most of the other suspension parts but the noise continued.

I then tried different brand aftermarket struts and the noise continued. My mechanic then tried an old used Subaru part from a wrecker and the noise stopped.

I have since switched the front end back to OEM parts and haven’t had a noise since.

Aftermarket parts can be great and save you a lot of money but it seems like they aren’t for the 2016 Crosstrek.

 

[bmart]

Highly dependant and the aftermarket company and specific part. I've had similar problems on a Volvo (suckiest cars ever) but many times the aftermarket is the one being branded for Subaru...so they're the same. This is the case with my Legacies over the years. Cheap. KYB 334273/4 and 341275-2. Subaru parts are stupid expensive for what they are.

 

[M Robinson]

Update - I switched out the rear struts to KYB aftermarket struts today and they are amazing. Super quiet. They cost more than other aftermarket struts but less than Subaru struts.

FYI in case your aftermarket struts work but are noisy.

 

[piste]

Afaik subaru oem ARE KYB.

 

[bmart]

Correct. Occasionally, there's a big sale on them too. The "brands" like most are familiar with (Monroe/etc.) are crap.