Hello, in recent months I'm experiencing an excessive amount of squeaking from the rear when I go through bumps and when the road gets more "rough" there comes a metal-like clinking noise, like something is loose. It sounds like it's coming from the rear right corner. (Changed sway bar links, but did not solve it)

The other issue is when the handbrakes are engaged and I wobble the car with my hand it again gives a horrible squeaking and moaning sound. 

Maybe these three issues are related to each other? 

I went under the car and tried to wobble everything like heatshield and exhaust but they are not giving any noise and as "firm" as they are.

Could be a bad rear strut mount or shocks? Or something in the handbrake mechanism?

Cheers!

Have you checked the rear springs for breakage? The shocks are very easy to remove just 3 bolts if you need to check them. The handbrake cable check for any fittings holding it in place are not broken and scraping when pulled on. Also another common bush to go is the upper rear arms the ones shaped like bananas.

Probably creaky brake shoes as you'll have drums on a 1.4.

Trailing arm bushes, check out YouTube for videos on the matter. 

21 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Probably creaky brake shoes as you'll have drums on a 1.4.

Thanks Tom, but "unfortunately" I have discs at the rear also.

 

21 hours ago, F0CUE said:

Have you checked the rear springs for breakage? The shocks are very easy to remove just 3 bolts if you need to check them. The handbrake cable check for any fittings holding it in place are not broken and scraping when pulled on. Also another common bush to go is the upper rear arms the ones shaped like bananas.

Ian, thanks for the thorough answer and tips! As my capabilities are limited (tool-wise and environment-wise) I was just looking for a clue to track down to the rabbit hole. I don't like to stand blind-minded infront off the mechanic knowing nothing what could potentially be the issue. However these topics you mentioned might hold the key.

 

10 hours ago, sttwoton said:

Trailing arm bushes, check out YouTube for videos on the matter. 

Thanks Kevan, I've watched some videos about this and it stays pretty close to my symptoms.

 

Overall I have a better understanding what might potentially be the root cause of this so I'm going to take it to the local ford mechanic and see what they can do about it. I'll be back in a week or two and update this thread with the results.

 

Cheers everyone!

This may or may not (!) be of interest...

 

15 hours ago, StephenFord said:

This may or may not (!) be of interest...

 

Thanks Stephen, it was one of my first suspicions at first but I tried to hush away the thought. However this could also be the issue since my rear struts and mounts have not been changed since 2006. 

I'll be back in a week or two and update the thread with the results.

Cheers!

Update 1 Been to the ford service and described the symptoms, the mechanic immediately said it sounds like a failing rear strut, but we should do a suspension diagnosis first. So I got an appointment for next thursday. Will check back with the news.

Update 2 They have done the suspension diagnosis and found that both of my rear struts are failing. The left is 15% and the right is 48%. 

I've got an appointment for Tuesday next week so I'll post one final update whether it solved the problem or not. Either way with these numbers it was time to change them so it has to be done.

How are they measuring a percentage of shock wear with such accuracy?

8 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

How are they measuring a percentage of shock wear with such accuracy?

In our MOT test in NI, the car is placed on a 'shaker' machine which tests the suspension. It's horrible to watch as your poor car is shaken quite violently for several minutes. Could this type of machine measure the %age wear?

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

In our MOT test in NI, the car is placed on a 'shaker' machine which tests the suspension. It's horrible to watch as your poor car is shaken quite violently for several minutes. Could this type of machine measure the %age wear?

Interesting thought. 

Can't see how that would be accurate though.  The tyre sidewall flexing would add to the suspension bounce. 🤔

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

How are they measuring a percentage of shock wear with such accuracy?

It was just as Stephen described. They shook the car on a machine of some sort.

Last Update They have changed the rear struts both of them and it feels kind of firm and stiff so the old ones were pretty tired I guess. On the noise part it eased the sound like 60% but it can be heard faintly still. They did not say anything about the strut mounts but I guess if it were to be rotten or crumbled they would have changed it or at least told me about it.

On the squeaky noise part it solved nothing (although that issue was not directly "confronted" or "addressed" they just focused on the struts) I plan to buy a greasing WD40 spray and give some treatment for the trailing arm bushes and the sway bar holders + every doors rubber seal.