Puglet1 Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 I can hear a creaking sound from my left rear of the car when going over pot holes / rough road surfaces. I have removed the rear wheels and placed axle stands underneath the suspension. If I push the car up and down I can replicate the sound but I am struggling to pinpoint the cause. I can see slight traces of rust between some of the leaf springs. My next step is to disconnect the rear shock absorber and try to replicate the sound again. Is there a common fault that I should investigate? Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) think you have most culprits covered maybe a broken leaf and seized trunnion to add if its knocking check the body bolts on the diff x member pete Edited October 18, 2023 by Pete Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 Thank you Pete. I will have an another look. Is it easy to identify a cracked spring or does it need removing for inspection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 If you have polybushes fitted, they can creak. The offside rear bushes on my GT6 creak in warm weather! Gully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 7 minutes ago, Gully said: If you have polybushes fitted, they can creak. The offside rear bushes on my GT6 creak in warm weather! Gully That’s interesting, I see the previous owner has fitted some red ones to the bottom of the trunnions. Many thanks. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 poly bush kits some supply a paste lubricant some do not i dont know what its called Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 So, I guess at this point I need to buy a rear spring lifting tool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 A broken leaf should be easy enough to spot and I can't imagine an MOT tester missing such a fault. You'll only need a spring lifter if you're planning on detaching the spring from the hubs and / or replacing bushes. You don't really need to do that to spot a broken leaf. Another thought is that the buttons between the leaves have worn away over time and the leaves are grinding. That would be a removal and refurbishment of the spring, which you would clearly need the lifter for. Gully 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 11 minutes ago, Gully said: A broken leaf should be easy enough to spot and I can't imagine an MOT tester missing such a fault. You'll only need a spring lifter if you're planning on detaching the spring from the hubs and / or replacing bushes. You don't really need to do that to spot a broken leaf. Another thought is that the buttons between the leaves have worn away over time and the leaves are grinding. That would be a removal and refurbishment of the spring, which you would clearly need the lifter for. Gully Thanks Gully 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) yes you will need to make /borrow a lifter for rotoflex as the coupling takes a lot of effort to raise the upright to meet the spring a stout bar with an exhaust /clamp to hold the spring will work DIY fashion it needs to be solid but not rocket science all others with a swing axle just needs a lift with a jack much easier pete Edited October 18, 2023 by Pete Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 35 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: yes you will need to make /borrow a lifter for rotoflex as the coupling takes a lot of effort to raise the upright to meet the spring a stout bar with an exhaust /clamp to hold the spring will work DIY fashion it needs to be solid but not rocket science all others with a swing axle just needs a lift with a jack much easier pete Excellent…….Pete Lewis to the rescue again! I have a stout bar, will check on the exhaust clamp situation. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 18, 2023 Report Share Posted October 18, 2023 just needs a stout clamp arrangement to fit around the spring so you can actually get enough leverage to raise the load of the spring and doughnut a cable tie wont suffice !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted October 20, 2023 Report Share Posted October 20, 2023 The Haynes manual contains a plan of this tool. Simple to make if you can weld. It suggests solid hex bar (!) but I used 1" square tube, no probs. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2023 JohnD. That’s really handy to know, I have a Mig, Arc, Oxy acetylene and some square tube in the garage 😀. I use a hard copy of the Workshop manual so I don’t have a Haynes manual🙁. Time to go a searching I guess. As always…. Your help is much appreciated. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted October 21, 2023 Report Share Posted October 21, 2023 (edited) Save you looking. From Haynes, sorry about it being upside down, its as it came out of the scanner. Pete Edited October 21, 2023 by PeteH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted October 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2023 PeteH. I have ordered a Haynes manual which won’t be here until the end of next week. You have really helped by copying this for me as I can get onto it sooner rather than later. Thank you very much. 👍 Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 22, 2023 Report Share Posted October 22, 2023 what a shame puglet now has to turn his car australia fashion the advantage is he can now paint the chassis Ha ! the lifted doesnt need to be brick sh1thouse but reasonably stout mine was home made from 1" solid bar its too heavy open box seems best Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted October 22, 2023 Report Share Posted October 22, 2023 I made my bar from Unistrut 'u' section. Plenty strong enough! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted October 22, 2023 Report Share Posted October 22, 2023 I made my bar from Unistrut 'u' section. Plenty strong enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightsix Posted November 10, 2023 Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 Puglet1 Interested to know whether you identified the creaking noise from the n.s.r? I have that issue on my mk2 too, so far all I’ve tried is spraying bushes and spring while getting new rear tyres fitted. (Some improvement). Just another job on the growing to do list, wish my hair would grow at the same rate 😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted November 10, 2023 Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 Have you tried slackening the nut on the long bolt (that goes through both outer bushes on the wishbone) and making sure that the bolt will actually turn in the bushes? They can sieze in the bush which can cause creaking. I slacken the bolt once in a while and check it turns, before re-torqueing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightsix Posted November 10, 2023 Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 Hi trigolf Not tried that, but will give it ago 👍🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted November 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 Hi Straightsix. I started my investigation into the noise by removing the shock absorber and doing the same as you have already done….spraying the spring and bushes which had no effect whatsoever! My intention was to strip the rear suspension and fit a rear telescopic shock absorber conversion and investigate the noise at the same time. I am also going to overhaul the rear spring. I have all of the parts apart from rear shock absorber conversion brackets which are on back order so my investigation into the noise has halted for the moment. My focus has now switched to a carb and ignition timing problem. So, in the meantime, I reckon Trigolf has a good point there so if you are able to do as he suggests, please let me know the result. All the best. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Foster Posted November 11, 2023 Report Share Posted November 11, 2023 17 hours ago, trigolf said: I slacken the bolt once in a while and check it turns, before re-torqueing. I have also added a grease nipple into the vertical link, which gets a few pumps from time to time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted November 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2023 36 minutes ago, Ian Foster said: I have also added a grease nipple into the vertical link, which gets a few pumps from time to time. Any photos available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now