I have a creaking noise from the rear of the car mainly when driven over speed humps. The noise is slowly getting worse. I can best describe it as what I think worn rubber will sound like when rubbing against metal.

I have checked the boot as best as possible to rule out any trim or stuff in the boot. I can't make the noise by bouncing on boot up and down, it only makes the noise when driving over things.

The car has a Bilstein B12 kit and White line ARB fitted.

Any thoughts on what it could be would be appreciated please. I was thinking possibly bushings?

sounds like rear anti roll bar drop links

A squirty bottle/water pistol filled with a strong solution of dish washing detergent is a handy tool to find the culprit.

Working upwards and individually, give each bush a good squirt to find the one where the noise stops.

Don't forget shock absorber dust shields etc.

Try driving over known problem humps with the rear doors not fully closed, I have a creaking sound caused by the rubber door seals when the bodywork flexes when driving slowly over uneven surfaces.

The cleaner the paintwork/rubber seals the worse the creaking becomes, an application of car wax helps for a while.

most likely your rear anti roll bar bushes.   i've heard reports elsewhere of whiteline bars being noisy (not all, just some).  my autotech bar was very annoying - replaced it with an H&R (with a teflon bush insert) which was much better.

I am going to try they washing up liquid at the weekend. There's loads of speed humps where I live so it makes a lot of noise. If it is the ARB bushes any recommendations for what I can lubricate them with? I have some silicone grease.

If the ARB bushes are noisy it would imply they are worn out and require replacement.

A good scoosh of WD-40 or similar should give a long(?) break from noises. Something with PTFE Teflon would be even better.

I would hope they aren't worn out as the ARB bushes were new with the ARB in November. I have methodically spray each bushing working my way from bottom up and take it for a drive after, no improvements. The only ones I think I've got left are the ARB ones, but I need to get the car up in the air to get at those. 

Drive rear wheels over bricks or reverse up a kerb somewhere quiet so you won't be disturbed (if you don't have wheel ramps).

Get a heavy pal or two to bounce in boot while you inspect underneath, take sensible precautions to prevent car rolling on top of you.

A 1m length of garden hose is good for pinpointing sounds all around car and engine bay, hold one end to your ear and use the other end to seek out the source of the noise you are looking for.

It seems quite common with the Whiteline RARB, but not on mine.

Some people have found that realigning the bracket which holds the ARB bush quells the noise.

Have had the same problem for the last 8 months after fitting a whiteline arb. Have tried everything to stop it but gave up tonight and refitted the standard one, more body roll and understeer but worth it for the silence!

It is definitely the ARB bushings, some silicone spray has quietened them down a lot. I would take the brackets off and lube them properly, but your suppose to use new bolts. 

 

Looks like I need to look for some quieter 24mm bushings....

Am a bit confused as to the lubrication thing as the original roll bar has the bushes vulcanised onto the bar and the poly bushes on the whiteline have a cross hatched pattern on the inside surface, is that meant to grip the bar or to hold lubricant? dosent seem to make any sense lubricating it if its not supposed to move?

It has taken me a while to get around to properly sorting this out. I narrowed it down to the RARB bushings. On closer inspection and removal of the bushings there was little to no grease left in them so degreased and cleaned them up re-lubricated them with silicone grease. 

 

 

I also used new stretch bolts for the clamps (P/N: N 106 447 01)

 

There was quite a lot of surface rust on the clamps so I gave them a clean up with the dremel and wire brush then gave them a few coats of mat black

 

 

The finished job.

 

 

It is very nice to drive around and not squeak when going over bumps   

Am a bit confused as to the lubrication thing as the original roll bar has the bushes vulcanised onto the bar and the poly bushes on the whiteline have a cross hatched pattern on the inside surface, is that meant to grip the bar or to hold lubricant? dosent seem to make any sense lubricating it if its not supposed to move?

 They are for holding lub in the bushing.

Holy thread resurrection, Batman, etc.!

 

 

I did a search and found this thread.

Whilst recently driving what is my wife's daily, an Octy vRS wagon, I noticed a squeak on the rear suspension when going over speedbumps in the UK.

The car's booked in to the local dealer in 2 weeks time, as, frankly, I've neither the time nor inclination to roll around on my back under the car to clean & re-grease stuff!

 

Anyway, I was pleased I found this thread which confirmed my thoughts. :clap: