# A mechanical mystery?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** impreza, subaru\
**Created:** [November 22, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874 "2010-11-22T19:57:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LindsayW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@LindsayW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LindsayW)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874/1 "2010-11-22T19:57:44Z")

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I have a 2003 Impreza Outback Sport with about 120k. The brakes and timing belt were replaced within the last year and a half, and this summer I got new rear struts and a whole new exhaust system. Lots of money dumped into this car and I need it to run for a while longer. Starting this summer, when the car was warm or it was hot outside, I would get a thumping/vibration in the front end when braking, accompanied by what is almost a creaking sound as I come to a stop. This would get worse the longer I was driving in stop/go traffic. Now the car does it without being warm. 3 mechanics have been unable to replicate or identify the source of the problem. Any thoughts out there?

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**Author:** ![realbinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a87d85/32.png) [@realbinky](https://community.cartalk.com/u/realbinky)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874/2 "2010-11-22T20:00:18Z")

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Take a mechanic for a drive with you, and say “that noise, right there!”

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874/3 "2010-11-23T18:09:38Z")

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I suggest you have the front tires and wheel bearings checked out along with the CV joints.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874/4 "2010-11-23T18:12:42Z")

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My money is on the front struts.

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**Author:** ![ignoramus9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@ignoramus9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ignoramus9)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-mechanical-mystery/57874/5 "2010-11-23T18:14:57Z")

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Both these replies are good. I would also have the rubber bushings in the front suspension looked at, esp. if it has a sway brace or stabilizer bars.