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Old 11-14-2019, 05:01 PM   #1
bizzlezx10r
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Default 2015+ Throw Out Bearing

So obviously this topic has been talked about time and time again. But i keep seeing posts about Subaru covering the cost/labor of the TOB for 2015+ cars with the same or more miles than mine.

I called Subaru about a month ago and i was never asked how many miles i have, i was just told that i was basally SOL and that it'll cost me about $600 bucks to replace.

Does anybody have any guidance on how they approached Subaru to get theirs covered or did you guys get rejected by the dealership and then called SOA?
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Old 11-15-2019, 07:37 AM   #2
Unabomber
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Are you still under warranty? If so, print out https://www.subispeed.com/instructio...se-bearing.pdf and ask them nicely if they would cover this TSB. Repeat at all the local dealers if you get a no and have multiple dealers in your area. If no, you now know what the new part is and have it done at a local reputable shop on your dime.

TSB does not equal free work even with a warranty.
TSB does not equal free work AT ALL if you are out of warranty.
TSB being done for free more has to do with luck and your friendly attitude than anything else.
Calling SOA about this will only waste everyone's time as they will tell you to inhale buckshot.
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Old 11-15-2019, 12:07 PM   #3
Blak-
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I have my Wrx at the dealer for an unrelated issue that involves pulling the engine. I am under the powertrain warranty still, so the engine issue is covered. When I mentioned the TOB noise, they said they could replace it for a lower cost given the improved access, but it is not covered by the powertrain warranty.
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Old 11-15-2019, 03:09 PM   #4
bizzlezx10r
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Are you still under warranty? If so, print out https://www.subispeed.com/instructio...se-bearing.pdf and ask them nicely if they would cover this TSB. Repeat at all the local dealers if you get a no and have multiple dealers in your area. If no, you now know what the new part is and have it done at a local reputable shop on your dime.

TSB does not equal free work even with a warranty.
TSB does not equal free work AT ALL if you are out of warranty.
TSB being done for free more has to do with luck and your friendly attitude than anything else.
Calling SOA about this will only waste everyone's time as they will tell you to inhale buckshot.
Thanks buddy, i bought it at Carmax so i don't know exactly if it's still under some Subaru powertrain warranty or not. Was only wondering just based on other posts of people having it covered and them having more miles than me. Carmax/Maxcare basically told me to go F*ck myself because "It's part of the clutch, so it's wear and tear"

Is there a way to verify it it's under some Subaru warranty or not?
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Old 11-26-2019, 01:13 PM   #5
ID10T_21
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This junk is so infuriating. 2016 with less than 50k miles and I am on my 3rd clutch and flywheel because of the ToB. Then to top it off, this latest clutch install by Subaru kicked off 2 other problems and left another mystery. Subaru may have been known for its reliability at one point, but no longer. Dealership and Subaru can suck it. This is beyond stupid. No warranty coverage. Everything has been out of pocket.
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Old 12-11-2019, 02:55 PM   #6
3eyesraver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bizzlezx10r View Post
Thanks buddy, i bought it at Carmax so i don't know exactly if it's still under some Subaru powertrain warranty or not. Was only wondering just based on other posts of people having it covered and them having more miles than me. Carmax/Maxcare basically told me to go F*ck myself because "It's part of the clutch, so it's wear and tear"

Is there a way to verify it it's under some Subaru warranty or not?
Call any Subaru dealership and give them your VIN number. Basic warranty usually is 3 years 36k miles transferable between ownerships.
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Old 12-23-2019, 08:16 PM   #7
tbombadil
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Default 2015 WRX Throw out bearing

Just my $0.02 on the infamous TOB issue but with just over 60K miles on my 2015 it is in the shop again having its 4th clutch installed. I've. driven manuals for over 3 decades and have not one time had to repair or replace a clutch until I bought my WRX. Subaru knows that these TOBs are problematic because they quietly released a TSB for a redesigned TOB last year, right after I paid for my second clutch (including faulty TOB)

And btw Subaru of America is not touching this even thought they share a good bit of blame. Really unfortunate that they would besmirch their reputation like this...

Also, FWIW, the TOB has actually undergone a 2nd redesign so if you need to replace it make sure you reference https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf.

Last edited by tbombadil; 12-24-2019 at 09:25 AM.
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Old 12-24-2019, 09:26 AM   #8
tbombadil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ID10T_21 View Post
This junk is so infuriating. 2016 with less than 50k miles and I am on my 3rd clutch and flywheel because of the ToB. Then to top it off, this latest clutch install by Subaru kicked off 2 other problems and left another mystery. Subaru may have been known for its reliability at one point, but no longer. Dealership and Subaru can suck it. This is beyond stupid. No warranty coverage. Everything has been out of pocket.
Check out https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf. I've been experiencing very similar issues with my WRX if it is any small consolation (hey at least you've got company)...
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Old 12-24-2019, 09:30 AM   #9
tbombadil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Are you still under warranty? If so, print out https://www.subispeed.com/instructio...se-bearing.pdf and ask them nicely if they would cover this TSB. Repeat at all the local dealers if you get a no and have multiple dealers in your area. If no, you now know what the new part is and have it done at a local reputable shop on your dime.

TSB does not equal free work even with a warranty.
TSB does not equal free work AT ALL if you are out of warranty.
TSB being done for free more has to do with luck and your friendly attitude than anything else.
Calling SOA about this will only waste everyone's time as they will tell you to inhale buckshot.
I think that this TSB has been superseded by https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf. I'm not an expert so I'm not 100% sure about this but it would be worth investigating before spending the money to pull out the transmission to replace a $50 part IMO.
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Old 12-24-2019, 09:34 AM   #10
tbombadil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Are you still under warranty? If so, print out https://www.subispeed.com/instructio...se-bearing.pdf and ask them nicely if they would cover this TSB. Repeat at all the local dealers if you get a no and have multiple dealers in your area. If no, you now know what the new part is and have it done at a local reputable shop on your dime.

TSB does not equal free work even with a warranty.
TSB does not equal free work AT ALL if you are out of warranty.
TSB being done for free more has to do with luck and your friendly attitude than anything else.
Calling SOA about this will only waste everyone's time as they will tell you to inhale buckshot.
'they will tell you to inhale buckshot' lmao.

I almost wish they would've because it is beyond infuriating listening to someone that doesn't give two spits say "I'm really sorry about this, I really wish there was something I could do to help" over and over and over etc, etc, etc.
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Old 12-24-2019, 03:33 PM   #11
evilWagon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ID10T_21 View Post
Then to top it off, this latest clutch install by Subaru kicked off 2 other problems and left another mystery.
Please share the details of these other issues. This community support for Subaru is one of their greatest strengths and could be one of their greatest downfalls, so please lets discuss things openly amongst ourselves to be informed and share the knowledge. I've "sold" so many cars for Subaru, between colleagues, friend acquaintances or as an ambassador for the local club. If I stop buying Subaru I'm going to have to share those stories too. I'm about to take my '18 wrx for what seems like a TOB noise, but I'm just in under the new clutch design threshold, and the idea of having the 'inferior' clutch when I kept my Impreza for 365,000kms rankles me. If you knew it was a faulty design, that didn't change when the basic warranty ran out. If I drive my car with more mechanical sympathy than some other asshat, I shouldn't be penalised (with an s vs a Zed for you Yankee bastards) by paying out of pocket.
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Old 12-30-2019, 12:01 PM   #12
tbombadil
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Default Just installed 4th clutch with updated TOB

Just had my 4th clutch installed using TOB described at https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf and words cannot convey how utterly different this car shifts now vs. any other point in time that I've owned it. Also, this is the first time that I've installed a new clutch whereby I didn't immediately catch a whiff of 'burnt clutch' every time that I cold started it. I honestly just thought that 'WRX clutches are heavy' until I installed this most recent clutch. Now I can literally change gears with my little finger. If you are driving a 2015 - 2018 WRX 6 speed and the clutch feels a bit heavy then you absolutely must get this most recent TOB installed. Not only will you save your existing clutch from being melted but your car will shift much more like a Civic SI and much less like Grandpa's '3 on a tree' 1972 Chevy Silverado. I'm really annoyed at Subaru for a) Not getting this right to begin with and b) Completely failing to accept any responsibility for a major design flaw that (at least on my WRX) literally causes the clutch to melt in 20K miles or less. At the same time I'm extremely happy at the difference this redesign makes W.R.T. driveability of my vehicle and strongly suspect that this time I can expect the clutch to last as long as I own the vehicle. I was already planning to sell my WRX at a significant loss just to get out of it if I smelled burnt clutch again but the car was absolutely transformed by updating to this newest TOB...

Oh, and BTW, after my most recent clutch failure, here is what the old TOB looked like (post mortem): https://ibb.co/x56nc0q.

I fully realize that anyone looking at this will say this is the result of severe abuse but I can promise you that (at least in my case) it absolutely was not. I am convinced that the blown out TOB in the picture was a direct result of the issue whereby 'seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.' as described at https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf.

Last edited by tbombadil; 12-30-2019 at 12:22 PM.
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Old 12-31-2019, 07:12 PM   #13
I'mFineW/Slow
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I feel lucky that my dealer is handling the TOB replacement 100% and I’m taking advantage of that to have a new clutch and flywheel installed - so basically I’m paying for a new clutch/flywheel and all labor is covered.

I’m planning on upgrading to the ACT Heavy Duty kit in the link below.

Should I use the TOB that comes in that kit or ask that the dealer uses the new good Subaru part?
Any idea if they are compatible?

Disclaimer: I’m asking this question in parallel with emailing ACT for info on their TOB, so I haven’t don’t a whole lot of digging before posting.

https://www.rallysportdirect.com/par...tlite-flywheel
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Old 12-31-2019, 07:18 PM   #14
blue sedan
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^^^^^Lightweight flywheels can be noisy when decelerating/when you let off the gas.
Just a heads up

Last edited by blue sedan; 01-01-2020 at 09:30 AM.
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Old 01-20-2020, 02:04 PM   #15
evilWagon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbombadil View Post
Just had my 4th clutch installed using TOB described at
So they replaced the clutch at the same time as the TOB? Did you get the new updated clutch design: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50946-9999.pdf
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Old 02-13-2020, 05:13 PM   #16
PilotKD
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1st time Subaru owner here. I just brought my 2017 to one of the local Subaru dealers today for multiple issues that I would have expected to be covered under warranty (to include the TSB about the TOB), and they didn't offer to cover any of them under warranty. I bought this car used with about 25k miles on it a few months ago and within a week or two of having it, I noticed the TOB "chirping", not just during cold starts, but at random times after the car has already been warmed up. I went in prepared with copies of the TSB's and three videos on my phone of the noise.

They told me the TOB making that noise is not doing any damage and that customers just complain about a noise. Whatever. I will be taking it to another dealer and if that doesn't work, I will call Subaru Corporate to complain. They quoted me about $2,500 to replace the clutch components including pedal assembly. I laughed and said you do know this car is still under warranty, right? He just said that TSB's aren't covered under warranty.

Last edited by PilotKD; 02-13-2020 at 05:33 PM.
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Old 01-21-2022, 03:51 PM   #17
ID10T_21
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbombadil View Post
Just had my 4th clutch installed using TOB described at https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf and words cannot convey how utterly different this car shifts now vs. any other point in time that I've owned it. Also, this is the first time that I've installed a new clutch whereby I didn't immediately catch a whiff of 'burnt clutch' every time that I cold started it. I honestly just thought that 'WRX clutches are heavy' until I installed this most recent clutch. Now I can literally change gears with my little finger. If you are driving a 2015 - 2018 WRX 6 speed and the clutch feels a bit heavy then you absolutely must get this most recent TOB installed. Not only will you save your existing clutch from being melted but your car will shift much more like a Civic SI and much less like Grandpa's '3 on a tree' 1972 Chevy Silverado. I'm really annoyed at Subaru for a) Not getting this right to begin with and b) Completely failing to accept any responsibility for a major design flaw that (at least on my WRX) literally causes the clutch to melt in 20K miles or less. At the same time I'm extremely happy at the difference this redesign makes W.R.T. driveability of my vehicle and strongly suspect that this time I can expect the clutch to last as long as I own the vehicle. I was already planning to sell my WRX at a significant loss just to get out of it if I smelled burnt clutch again but the car was absolutely transformed by updating to this newest TOB...

Oh, and BTW, after my most recent clutch failure, here is what the old TOB looked like (post mortem): https://ibb.co/x56nc0q.

I fully realize that anyone looking at this will say this is the result of severe abuse but I can promise you that (at least in my case) it absolutely was not. I am convinced that the blown out TOB in the picture was a direct result of the issue whereby 'seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.' as described at https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...50949-9999.pdf.
I gave up on this issue long ago. On my 4th clutch and not even 70k miles. Sold her and never looking back at Subaru again.

Best clutch that lasted the longest was the OEM clutch.

OEM Clutch
Clutchmaster 2.5 - Flywheel replaced
2018 model OEM Clutch - Pedals Replaced
Exedy OEM Spec clutch - Master and Slave cylinder replaced...I can already hear the little birdy chirping after 9k miles.

And no, I am not hard on my WRX. Its my grocery getter and soccer van. :-)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VNm25HV8MRkoQMrf9

Last edited by ID10T_21; 01-21-2022 at 03:57 PM. Reason: Album
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Old 01-25-2022, 09:44 PM   #18
PilotKD
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotKD View Post
1st time Subaru owner here. I just brought my 2017 to one of the local Subaru dealers today for multiple issues that I would have expected to be covered under warranty (to include the TSB about the TOB), and they didn't offer to cover any of them under warranty. I bought this car used with about 25k miles on it a few months ago and within a week or two of having it, I noticed the TOB "chirping", not just during cold starts, but at random times after the car has already been warmed up. I went in prepared with copies of the TSB's and three videos on my phone of the noise.

They told me the TOB making that noise is not doing any damage and that customers just complain about a noise. Whatever. I will be taking it to another dealer and if that doesn't work, I will call Subaru Corporate to complain. They quoted me about $2,500 to replace the clutch components including pedal assembly. I laughed and said you do know this car is still under warranty, right? He just said that TSB's aren't covered under warranty.
I had the TOB replaced almost two years ago under warranty and the chirping sound is back. If I put even a slight amount of pressure on the clutch pedal, the noise stops.
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