Rear suspension creaking

[TheBALDpuma]

Hi guys. I've noticed in the last few weeks when going over lumps and bumps in the golf I've got a creaking noise coming from the back of the car. Springs and shocks all look fine, do I'm thinking bushes? What's the best place to start looking? And it's this likely something a before average home mechanic can do on axel stands?

[mjmallia]

Most prob dry rear ARB bushes.  Unbolt them, silicone grease them and reattach.

[TheBALDpuma]

Would it blow be worth just replacing them?

[mjmallia]

Depends on how old they are.   I replaced mine with poly bush items, but they need silicone greasing every couple of years.

[TheBALDpuma]

I've got underneath and has a look. To my eye they look a little f*cked.

I'm assuming it's these first ones?  The second photos they also look pretty tired too but not sure if these need replacing?

Can't feel movement on the driver's side but can on the passenger side by hand.

[mk1_dave]

Hi, I would advise replacing the drop links as you can pick up a set for relatively cheap with new fittings aswell. My old arb bushes looked similar to yours so I replaced them for new superpro bushes but you can pickup a set of rubber bushes for cheap and its not a hard job replacing them, would advise spraying the bolts with anti seize before the job as they can be a bugger when rusty.

[TheBALDpuma]

Thanks.  If I've got the car on axle stands it's it just a bolt off/on job or will I need to support the suspension when I take the ARB and droplink off?

[mk1_dave]

Yeah stick it on a set of axle stands then you can take weight off the suspension which will make it easier to remove and install the drop links. You should be able to remove the ARB without taking the exhaust off or just get it loose and change the bushes with it hanging down so you have access.

[TheBALDpuma]

Thinking about powerflex ARB bushes - they have 5 sizes, is there a standard rear ARB size or did they vary? Do I need to measure?

Would you re use the bracket or get a new one? It does look pretty nakered!

[pudding]

I would just get OEM bushes, brackets and drop links.  The state they're in currently will fail the MOT.