Thread: Rear Suspensions Creaking

Rears are harder to replace then fronts, still need a press.. Rear bushes are harder to get out.

Air struts seem to die at about 100k. Wouldn't buy from Amazon. Bwi seem to be best

Originally Posted by eddielines

Hi Folks

I've developed a bad creak (all the time) in rear suspension. Its a creak, no knock and car feels tight. This has been well covered but I am looking for any additional advice on how much to overhaul based on others experiences.

Using this forum and UK one, I've eliminated rear sway bar bushing which still seems in decent condition, bough a stethoscope and narrowed it down to at least th rear bushing on the rear upper control arms, I've just lubed then to confirm this afternoon and will work through others lubing as I eliminate noise and determine what I need to replace.

Car is 2010 with 175K on clock, Front LCAs were replaced about 40K ago and look fine.

I know the bushings in the from LCA are difficult to replace and appear to require a press, however based on reading about rears and others doing them I will buy a universal puller and press and do the rears myself.

My addiiotnal questions to anyone that can share their experience are
1. I would want to use OE / OEM. Advanced factors only have Febi, Rimmer brothers have OEM Bush Rear Upper Arm - LR051616P1 - OEM | Rimmer Bros, any thoughts ?
2. I am assuming its a given if doing one bush I should do both when the arm is out ? I would plan on using the Lemforder OE on advanced factors although hey also have a Meyle HD one, thoughts ?
2. Should I do the call joint at Knuckle when doing that arm or if looks healthy and no movement / noise leave well enough along ? I am leaning to latter
3. Should I do do the lower bushes at the same time or again if healthy enough looking and no noise leave well enough alone for now knowing I will need to do at some stage ? I am leaning to latter. Again I would go for the Lemforder OE on advanced factors and check if the other is OEM or go elsewhere for OEM
4. Is there any expected life time I should replace the rear sway bar bushings and drop links or again continue to inspect regularly as I service and replace when I see something that says I should replace ? I am leaning to latter
5. Is there any expected life time I should replace the Air Structs, I see really mixed messages, I am not seeing any symptoms, but see some saying significantly improved ride after as deterioration is gradual and others saying little difference, again interested in peoples recent thoughts on this ? If replacing I understand the BWIs from Advanced Factors are teh same struct without Landrover stamp / stickers
6. I can obviously pick something up form Amazon or where ever, but has any one recently purchased a universal puller and press that they would recommend.

TIA for anyones inputs, I am gradually doing more and more and enjoying learning about the car and developing my mechanical skills, and this forum has helped no end. It makes for a lot more comfort when we hit the tracks.

If your doing it do all of it..I forgot to change the sway bar bushes when I was there.. Still haven't gotten around to it.

Originally Posted by josh.huber

Air struts seem to die at about 100k. Wouldn't buy from Amazon. Bwi seem to be best

Thanks, yes no intention of going near Amazon, looking for OE / OEM only

Originally Posted by josh.huber

If your doing it do all of it..I forgot to change the sway bar bushes when I was there.. Still haven't gotten around to it.

Thanks Josh

When you say all of it what do you mean, sway bar bushes, upper arms and Struts ?

What about lowers, knuckle bushes / ball joints, drop links, pan rods, etc ?

You see where I am going with this, it becomes a very signicant cost quickly and while wanting to replace what needs replacing don't want to replace for the sake of it

Originally Posted by eddielines

Thanks Josh

When you say all of it what do you mean, sway bar bushes, upper arms and Struts ?

What about lowers, knuckle bushes / ball joints, drop links, pan rods, etc ?

You see where I am going with this, it becomes a very signicant cost quickly and while wanting to replace what needs replacing don't want to replace for the sake of it

All of the bushes, they all need to be drilled and cut out and pressed back in.. May as well only do one clean up job. Plus you'll be set up tool wise. I did upper and lower, front and rear bushes.. The knuckle Bush things seemed brand new..
I did all the struts as a set about 220k.

I went genuine or Delphi, lemforder on the bushes.