Driving home from work I was hearing a creaking/groan noise when going over bumps towards the centre of the road. The noise seemed to be coming from the rear offside of the car.

Initially thought was maybe an exhaust rubber had failed (still original - 2001), but I ruled that out when I looked into the wheel arches. The bump stop on the offside had dropped down the shock and made a similar noise when I moved it back up.

I replaced the bump stops when I changed the shocks about 110-120k miles ago but I can't remember how they assemble. If I jacked up the rear of the car and undo the top retaining bolts would I be able to change it, or will I need to take the shock out?

I might take a picture tomorrow, and I shall go and read Mr Haynes shortly to see if he can help me remember.

Thanks,

Matt

On a side note - the car obviously hates being cleaned (tailgate only!).....

Easiest if you take the shock out. If they've done that many miles might be getting a bit tired by now too?

Mines looking almost as dirty as yours now too. I suppose 500 miles a week will do that at this time of year.

The original ones had fallen part when I changed the rear shocks, these look (at a quick glance) to be quite good - apart from one had broken :'(

I was kinda hoping the stops were not getting that much action, but maybe they are.

That dirt was one trip to Stansted in the snow, and then 3 days of travelling to work (2 days of coming home - as I cleaned it at work this morning before anyone else arrived!) Dunno what I pay my council tax for, it certainly isn't clean roads Dirty Dorset (country) A and B roads soon make the estate act like a magnet for dirt... The rest of the body might get a proper wash over the weekend too!

The shock does need to come out to change the bump stop, but it doesn't take that long to do.

Mine split near the top at one of the thin bits. I think they just wobble around as you drive and it weakens them, the front ones are inside a plastic tube and so move less and aren't exposed to the weather as much.

Edited 17 February, 201214 yr by trundlenut