ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

NUMBER:

2013MY BRZ

DATE:

“ Clack” or “Popping” Sound from Trunk
and /or Rear Shelf Area

12-140-12
11/12/12

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a repair procedure to address a customer concern of a
“clack” or “popping” sound from the trunk and / or rear package shelf area. The sound may occur
over bumps or when a twisting motion is introduced into the vehicle chassis at low speeds. The
tendency is for the sound to originate on the Driver’s (l/hand) side (Case #1). The procedure for
Case #1 will remedy the majority of vehicles with this condition. After verifying the customer’s
concern and performing the procedure, be sure to road test the car again to confirm the sound has
been repaired. In a rare instance where the sound persists, the Case #2 procedure will need to be
performed.
COUNTERMEASURE IN PRODUCTION
A countermeasure was incorporated into production in July, 2012 starting with VIN number
D*602788.
PART INFORMATION
Castle Products “Endura” is a spray grease product available through their
network of local distributors.
To find your closest local distributor, go to: http://www.castlepackspower.com
or call: 1-800-876-0222.

Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or
to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how
to do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 12-140-12; Date: 11/12/12

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
“ISO 14001 COMPLIANT”
The international standard for excellence
in Environmental Management Systems.
Please recycle or dispose of automotive
products in a manner that is friendly to our
environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Page 1

SERVICE PROCEDURE, CASE 1
The photo below shows the location of the area of the spot weld to inspect on the Driver’s (left) side.

Using the tip of a flat-blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY separate the plates of the spot weld area
“A” ONLY approximately 1/8” (3.5mm) as shown in the photo below. For spot weld area “B”, only
grease will be applied at this time.

Apply spray
grease into the
gaps between
the plates.
Make sure to
wipe off any
excess.

Flat-blade
screw driver

After spraying the grease into the gaps, use a suitable method to CAREFULLY reduce the gap
between the lower and middle plates as shown in the photo on the next page. Take proper precaution
to prevent damage to the paint.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-140-12; Date: 11/12/12

Page 2

Photo shows
positioning of
tools used to
close the gap
between the
plates.
Be careful not
to use excessive
force.

Once the gap has been reduced, wipe off any excess grease then be sure to touch up any damage to
the finish as necessary. Once the Case #1 procedure has been completed, road test the car to confirm
the sound no longer exists. If the sound persists, the following Case #2 procedure will be required.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-140-12; Date: 11/12/12

Page 3

SERVICE PROCEDURE, CASE 2
Use the procedure in the applicable Service Manual for removing the rear package shelf trim cover
and third brake light assembly to gain access to the inspection area shown below.

IMPORTANT: Due to the tight confines of the package shelf area, use extra caution to protect
the rear window glass from damage.

Spray grease
applicator tube

Using the tip of a flat-blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY separate the plates of the area approximately
1/8” (3.5mm) as shown in the photo above (left). Do not spread the plates apart any further than
necessary to allow the spray grease to be applied as shown in photo above (right).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-140-12; Date: 11/12/12

Page 4

The illustration below shows a suggested method for closing the panel gap of the rear shelf. The
socket end of a long ratchet or breaker bar is held solid with one hand while pulling the bar down
firmly with the other after placing the opposite end on the shelf area separated to apply the grease.
Be careful not to uses excessive force which may distort or damage the package shelf.

Force
applied

Hold this end of
the bar still

Pull down with this
hand applying force
to close the gap

IMPORTANT: After a road test to confirm the sound has been eliminated, be sure to wipe off any
excess grease from both the top and underside of the package shelf.

Before re-installing the trim and third brake light assembly, be sure to touch-up any damage to the
finish as necessary then re-install the package shelf and the interior trim to complete the repair.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
LABOR DESCRIPTION
UNDERSIDE PACKAGE SHELF
NOISE REPAIR
TOPSIDE PACKAGE SHELF
NOISE REPAIR

LABOR OPERATION #

FAIL CODE

LABOR TIME

B900-671

0.3
OBV-25

C900-670

0.7

NOTE: Up to $4.00 can be claimed in sublet to cover the cost of touch-up materials and
spray grease.

Bulletin Number: 12-140-12; Date: 11/12/12

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