2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse with 25,000 miles on it. Has anyone experienced a problem with their Eclipse with the struts? I have been experiencing a "clunking" noise underneath the car, predominately in the rear. An independent mechanic told me that my struts are shot, stabilizer bar might need to be replaced. (he did put the car up on a ramp). Mitsubishi mechanic says he has never seen this happen. (he has yet to see the car) Has anyone else experienced this? My vehicle is 2 months out of warranty and I am beginning to feel like I will be taken advantage of by a Mitsubishi Dealer mechanic. Any advice? Thanks. New member here!

RE: 2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

My car does this too, but not all the time and I couldn't figure out what in the heck it was. In fact it may not really be the same thing, but I've noticed it after I first get in and the first time my b/f and I were together in the car and we both looked at each other like WTF is that...? But we never looked into it. My car went out of warrantly last month but I have a warranty through the dealership. I'd get it checked but there's a service fee each time and I could care less at this point because it's not actually a problem to me. I'll bring it up to my boyfriend though and see what he thinks. My car has 27,000 after a couple trips to AZ though. Does the sound happen all the time for you? Oh and you know what else...the car sort of handles like crap now that I think about it, like it feels loose in the back. I wonder now if it could be that then...we'll see...

RE: 2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

Come to think of it, it began as an intermitten clunky noise, although it is now rather persistant lately. I wonder if the cold/snow has anything to do with it. This car has had this issue since I bought it new with only 5 miles on it, but in the last few weeks it has been annoying. Handling appears to be good except for in the snow, but I don't think the "clunkiness" has anything to do with it. I just can't stand the thought of having to pour big money into a car with only 25K miles on it. Heck, I don't 4-wheel with this baby, nor do I hit the ever present pot-holes. Makes no sense to me. I will be taking the car to the dealer on Monday, the 14th and see what they say.

RE: 2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

I talked to my boyfriend last night and he said the following, "f- your car, it's brand f-ing new, I'll be damned if I'm going to spend another f-ing cent on another repair for a new f-ing car. When the bottom falls out we'll take it in for service but right now I really don't give a f-." So that was pleasant. We had just recently went through a bit of hell with my car in trying to determine my battery was dying. $300 later it's fixed. So he's extremely upset that a problem like that could arise at only 27K miles. On top of all that I need new brake pads, rotors turned, tires rotated, oil change, remote start looked at b/c my car is not starting right, my auto transmission is doing weird stuff with the rpms again, and my warranty expired so I can't get my waterlogged headlights fixed. So things are not good for my quote-un-quote new car.

RE: 2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

OUCH! I can see why your b/f is upset about not wanting to put any more money into your car. How long have you owned the car? How many miles were on your car when you got it? I does not make sense to me that you need all this work on it at 27K miles. Hell, I'd dump the car for the nearest Mazda RX-8!!! I may just do that with mine if Mazda won't fix it at their expense. It is rediculous to think I may have to spend a butt-load of money on a car with only 25K miles...I just don't get it! Hey the picture of the Eclipse on your post looks just like mine!

RE: 2002 Mitsu Eclipse and Struts
 

Well most of what it needs is just basic stuff but it seems like a lot when you take it on all at once. I got the car with 20K and since June of last year put on the rest of the miles. Since buying it I've already turned the rotors once and put on new Yokohama tires. But since I've put on so many miles I'm due for brakes, oil change and rotation - standard stuff. But the remote start problem is new and will most likely be done under warranty where I got it installed. Apperntly relays go bad a lot and that could be the problem with that. But I brought the car to Mitsu a couple of months ago and they tore my tranny apart to replace some faulty engineered part but I insisted it still had a problem. My b/f told me otherwise and guess who was right...the one who drives the car every day...me...because it is still f'd up. But Mitsu wants to charge $300 to look at it and then if the powertrain warranty applies I'll get that part covered but will still have to pay the $300 in fees. It's just not worth it. I really will just wait until something actually breaks because I have a warranty through the dealership but they are more like problem fixers than problem finders and fixers, if you know what I mean. Mazda was my second choice car but luckily I got my Eclipse. She's my dream car. I love her. She;s just being a real pain in the ass right now. That's cool and also a little weird that we have the same car and somewhat of the same problem. But yeah, like you, I don't want to be pouring money into this thing. Heck my car payments are high enough!!!