My 2003 FF has developed a creaking noise at the back end. It only creaks when its suspension is raised to road height or above, it creaks over every bump, sounds like a rubber on metal creak and not a grinding metal to metal creak. If I bounce on the rear bumper it creaks. it sounds worse on the drivers side. When it settles to parked up height it creaks as it goes down.

Is there anything obvious I could check.

Thanks in anticipation My Motto: If you are going to have one, have a BIG one!

There are a lot of bushes on the rear suspension - all of which will give you a creak or rattle when going over a bump.

I would suspect its one of the upper arm bushes - I seem to remember there are 2 at the top and one at the bottom of the upper wishbone on each side. Could also be one of the lower ones, again 3 on each side for the lower wishbone or your anti roll bar drop links (but they tend to rattle more than creak) Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

It will definitely be the rear upper hub bush, which is an enclosed heim joint, they squeak like crazy when worn, it's awkward to flex it to see movement but hit it with 1/2 a can of WD40 and I bet it shuts up for a day or two...

The bottom one won't be far behind but it doesn't make any noise, just dies quietly....

They can be a pig to change or go real easy... I snapped one of the bolts getting them out... I'd order new bolts, nuts, and washers anyway... And don't bother with cheap bushes it's not that much for genuine ones...

IMHO the inboard end of the rear wishbone bushes don't wear very much and will probably outlive the car....  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks Pete,
I will do the WD40 thing just to see if it makes a difference, if it does then I know that they are the culprit, and I will get them changed.

Chris My Motto: If you are going to have one, have a BIG one!

You may have to move the rubber cover out the way... mine had large bit's missing...



Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Hi Haylands,
Yes it looks like this is the problem, the RR is going in tomorrow for tits MOT and this work. As a rough guide, how much will replacing these cost me, just so I can check I am not being ripped off.

Thanks My Motto: If you are going to have one, have a BIG one!

Outer bushes are fairly accessible so labour about the same as the bushes which are £30 - £50

Inner bushes much more work: http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic17399.html .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I also had creaking from the rear last year, investigated and there was a slight bit of play, invested in a laser bush removal tool.

I thought easy peasy, after copious amounts of PlusGas, still the offisde one wouldnt budge, so i resorted to a 14 Lb club hammer, and whacked the end of the extractor tool a few times, kept retightening the studding and suddenly it moved, result !!!. I replaced both upper ones after cleaning the bore of the lugs and reset the wheel camber, no more creaking.

I also bought the lower ones (still to fit), they are about double the diameter of the upper ones. I dont understand why LR didnt use those in both locations if the upper ones are prone to wearing. (Well i do really ).

Peter