In attempting to find the source of bad squeaking from 1 side rear, I've spotted that the top joint on both sides has more than 1mm fore-aft movement when not under load although no movement can be achieved once some load is applied. Is this movement normal? The vehicle has only travelled 80K kms and although it sees quite a lot of gritty mud, it seems far too early for the joints to be so worn.

I've filled the boots of this joint on the squeaking side with oil without having any effect on the squeaking and whilst it sounds to be emanating from the top joint, I think that I can feel vibration near the bottom joint.

Can anyone confirm that these joints should or should not have this fore-aft movement?

Squeaking could be coming from the inner wishbone bolts - these are "built dry". Lower ones easy to get at, upper ones less so in order to remove bolts and grease up.

In terms of movement of outer top joint, I would expect there to be some movement after 80KM but not under load, yet. My outer joints were shot after @ 90,000 miles. .
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

Graeme, the joints are like a rose joint (see my pix at http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic13469-15.html (scroll down).

I wouldn't expect a lot of movement. Note the plastic(?) strip in the joint. One of those strips was coming out. It had a lot of movement.

If you need the tools to replace the bushes, there is bloke on the AULRO forum from whom I hired the tools. He's in Melbourne. They make replacement very easy. I bought the top and bottom bushes from Roverlord (Mario) for, I think, A$219. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Thanks Joe. The squeak is definitely coming from an outer joint and I'm fairly sure the bottom joint is the source. With minimal load on the top one I can cause the squeak by moving the top one sideways a little using a large screw-driver but no noise from the top.

I suspect that I need to buy top and bottom joints for both sides but am dismayed at the early demise of the joints. My D4 did 200K kms over the same ground yet didn't require any rear joints or bushes replacing, only the front hydro bushes.

Thanks Ron for the info but my son has lent me his bush press set.

I'd be very surprised if the top joints are as they should be because the hub can be moved back and forth when without load which must also occur whilst driving. They remind me of front suspension bushes in a new Falcon many (50?) years ago that had slack without load whereas after-market replacements were tight.

I'll be looking for Lemforder joints and a new set of Lemforder front lower bushes at the same time.

Also check the toe bar for movement at both ends, if this is shot, it can allow "natural" movement in the rose joints .
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

Thanks - will do.