Help with Vibration in steering under load (V9 sti)

[whatshouldiget?]

Hey guys,

So as title states, I get this vibration under load in my sti which im having trouble diagnosing. It's mainly when i hit full boost. It's kind of hard to explain but i will try my best.

When i accelerate hard i feel this vibration through the steering and sort of a grinding noise comes along with it. It only happens under full boost. It doesn't happen if im half throttle or just cruising around. It's quite a nasty vibration, not enough that the whole car shakes but definitely enough to give you the "WTF is that" feeling. I purchased the car with this problem and originally thought it was just the power steering as that was shocking when i first purchased. I flushed the system, put a new o-ring in it and bled the system. Power steering is now fine but vibration is still there.

The guy i purchased it off took it into a garage and they came back and said it may be the turbo bearings or the internal gate nor opening fully (car has done high kms). I'm doubting that, as there is no whine or smoke and the turbo pulls rather well. I've had the car up on the hoist and everything looks normal. No play in anything except a L/F wheel bearing which i will be replacing next week. May even do the engine mounts as well. The C.V's look good and so does the steering rack. I had a look at the universal joints as well but they seem to be fine. It does have a 6puk clutch but i didn't think that would cause it shudder under load?

Anybody had a similar thing happen to their car? Looking for some ideas/opinions before i go spending hundreds of dollars on parts that won't solve the problem??

If anybody is confident they can accurately diagnose the problem, i'm more than happy to make a trip out to you with a box of your preferred beers so you can test drive

Any help will be appreciated as i would like to sort it out before it gets any worse or cause any real damage.

TIA

[Steviep168]

Have you have the rack and pinion steering looked at..?

Also may be track rod ends..?

[lachlan]

ps pump is prolly half shagged .

[loner]

turbo would be my guess... chipped impeller etc... no smoke just a bad vibration.

[gotasuby]

Down pipe aftermarket? If so check for motor twisting towards steering universal under load hence vibration. Shagged engine mounts will be apparent to.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

I was also leaning toward torn engine mount or downpipe contact, drove a v8 sti with a similar issue

[whatshouldiget?]

I've had a look at rack myself but will get someone more educated to have a look. Yes full Rage TBE. My original thoughts were that the down pipe was touching the universal joint but there is a decent amount of clearance down there but it makes sense that the motor could be twisting down due to bad mounts. Hoping it's not Turbo as i'm not ready to have the car off the road yet while i wait for a rebuild. Will start with replacing engine mounts and a trans mount as well. Does anyone know where to buy some upgraded mounts from? ones that are a little stiffer than factory, similar to the STI group N ones off rallysport but sourced locally? Cheers

[loner]

Hardrace mounts are good for a road car... stiffer than stock but not solid. They are a good price too.

But inspect your mounts before replacing them... it will be obvious if they are ripped.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/subaru/engines/auction-903251365.htm

[whatshouldiget?]

Problem sorted. Broken engine mount. Took bolts off and the mount fell out in two pieces after a little wiggle lol it was Farked!!

[boon]

Hrm this makes me wonder if mine are getting a bit ****ty as well, might have a look over the weekend.