Update on my WRX's noisy clutch:

"Burrito de EJ25" (alexcarrillo01)
11/04/2014 at 01:43 • Filed to: None

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

VERIFIED VERY FAINT SQUEAKING NOISE - LUBRICATED CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND SLAVE CYLINDER/FORK CONTACT PIVOT POINT - NOISES SEEM TO HAVE GONE AWAY AT THIS TIME

Yeah, at that time, but I can hear the chirps clearly.

What they did manage to fix, which I didn't even complain about, was the noisy clutch pedal. It crunched some as I'd disengage the clutch. So, yay?

Both of the sounds in my original post were linked to a bad throwout bearing by the shop foreman.

I haven't investigated the first sound (cold start squeal) but I highly doubt the lube job did the trick. So, apparently the next step is to pull the transmission out and investigate further, which I really wish didn't have to happen.

The chirp does seem to have gotten a bit more faint while I'm driving, and it's not doing it at idle, but that particular sound always had a mind of its own. I've noticed it's more audible when I'm off throttle and the RPMs are dropping.

Who fucking knows? Cars are a pain in the butt, you guys.

I'm busy with work this week so I'm not so sure I'll have the time to drop it off for them until the following week. We'll see what happens. Hopefully this gets resolved without much hassle. Fortunately it is just obnoxious noise that I'm dealing with. It's nothing that seems to be hindering performance. And I've still got another 4 years of warranty before I should start stressing out about things.

I'll give them a call tomorrow and look at my options.

DISCUSSION (18)

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Burrito de EJ25
11/04/2014 at 01:45

Its like your car is trying to talk to you, but It hasnt learned to speak your language yet

Burrito de EJ25 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
11/04/2014 at 01:50

That motherfucker needs to get on some Rosetta Stone right fucking quick.

Steve in Manhattan > Burrito de EJ25
11/04/2014 at 02:03

If it's still under warranty, take it back every day until they fix it. Take only yes for an answer.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Burrito de EJ25
11/04/2014 at 02:06

I don't know why they don't just get off of their lazy asses and pull the transmission out. These are super easy. First one I ever pulled seriously took me only half an hour to get out. Me and Asian cars don't get along and I could fix that thing in two hours with probably less than $100 in parts. A brake job on my W210 would cost more than replacing your throw out bearing. And Subaru is paying for it! I've got a E63 in my bay right now that has a slight knock for a minute at cold start. Customer didn't even complain about it, I did. After some diagnosis I found a just barely, slightly worn cam lobe. Mercedes is paying for all new cams and lifters at a cost to them off almost $5k. No big deal. Customer happy and car fixed right. I hate lazy shops.

Rant over.

Burrito de EJ25 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/04/2014 at 02:23

I'm too damn much of a pushover. I need to be more assertive.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Burrito de EJ25
11/04/2014 at 09:30

Whatever you do, don't be a dick and put them on the defensive. That would just make it worse for you. Situations like this can be very difficult to figure out how to handle. Good luck. I'm sure it will get sorted eventually, though it may take a few more visits.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/04/2014 at 09:52

Wow, thanks for going that extra mile and being such a great tech. I'd buy you a beer if I knew you.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
11/04/2014 at 09:59

I appreciate it. Honestly more techs should be this way. It's a part of the job. Most of the techs in my shop are this way also. Maybe that's part of why we're constantly taking customers from other Mercedes dealers in the area. Not being lazy about my job is good for me, good for my shop, good for business, and good for my customers.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/04/2014 at 10:08

Agreed, I mean even if it is warranty related you guys still get paid from MB right? Or are out of warranty repairs more beneficial for you guys paycheck wise?

In my opinion if the job is done right the customer has no reason to complain or come back annoyed. Instead he leaves happy and tells everyone about how great the shop was fixing the car.

n54 & s38 > Burrito de EJ25
11/04/2014 at 11:27

You know about the faulty welds on earlier WRXs of that generation, right? I had a 2008 WRX and by the time I traded it in, the clutch would squeak/click and the brake pedal would flex to the left when the clutch was pushed in. Google it if you're not sure. NOt saying it's that; just want to make sure that you're aware while still under warranty.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr…

https://www.toronto-subaru-club.com/forums/showthr…

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
11/04/2014 at 22:41

Warranty rarely pays as well or better than customer pay jobs. But most good techs can still at least break even with warranty most of the time. That said, there are extenuating circumstances such as how well a tech clocks time on a job and writes his story, how good the warranty clerk is, which manufacturer it is and what they pay for certain jobs. But taking care of warranty items right away pays back in terms of customer happiness and retention. Customers who are treated well often also buy high profit service items during the same visit and/or in the future, and may not go to indie shops when warranty expires.

Burrito de EJ25 > n54 & s38
11/05/2014 at 00:12

Really? Right down to the wide bodies?

Burrito de EJ25 > n54 & s38
11/05/2014 at 00:37

I've been looking up videos of this. It doesn't sound like my symptoms. It's a lot more harsher sounding in those cases.

My clutch does click, and did make a "crunch" kinda' sound, but that's now gone after they greased the pedal assembly.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/05/2014 at 08:11

I just had my C300 services the other week for a noisy fuel pump, which was covered under warranty. Everything worked out great but now I feel like I should've thrown my tech a $20 or something during the test drive.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
11/05/2014 at 09:39

Lol. Thoughtful, but not necessary. Though we do remember things like that and give those customers preferential treatment more often than "normal" customers, especially considering that a lot of our customers come in expecting us to be evil and no matter how well we treat them they will always expect everything for free and accuse us when something breaks. Mercedes actually pays pretty well under warranty compared to other manufacturers, so it's not like we're starving. We do on occasion get tips though. Genuine appreciation goes a long way, but a tip never hurts either.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/05/2014 at 10:28

Okay as long as they are getting something out of it, I'll likely send a thank you/happy holidays card to the service adviser and the tech each with a $25 Amex card, it might not be common but I mean I literally didn't have to pay a cent (I know I know car with warranty) but it's kind of like groupon to me, if I am not paying full price or even half I always end up tipping more.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
11/05/2014 at 15:40

I just got a $60 tip for doing two hours of work on a guys engine.

I suggest handing your tip to whoever personally, and make sure they know which car was yours, otherwise you might not reap the benefits of the tip because they don't remember you or your car.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/05/2014 at 16:20

Will do!