Noisy Rear Springs - I think?

[bad company]

Hi all, I'm not a regular in this section as not a technical type of guy.

Mrs BC and I recently returned from a longish trip so the car was left unused for 6 weeks. It started first time having been on a battery conditioner and drives just fine. The problem is that there is now a lot of noise from the rear when braking, as I said it sounds like the springs. When parked I bounced the back of the car and that re created the same noise.

So is this something that can be left or do I need to book the car in for work?

Thanks in anticipation.

[Discopotatoes]

Check the rear anti roll bar drop links and mounts

[bad company]

Discopotatoes said:

Check the rear anti roll bar drop links and mounts

Thanks for that. I have no idea how to check them so I guess I will need to book the car in to be looked at.

[ClassicChimaera]

Take it to a good Tvr mechanic and he should identify the problem pretty quickly.
Are the noises a form of creaking or squeaking.
Do you know if you have aftermarket adjustable shock absorbers fitted. Grinding/ clunking can be Rose joints on these shock absorbers.
Similar in noise to failed/ old drop links attached to the rear anti rollbar

[bad company]

ClassicChimaera said:

Take it to a good Tvr mechanic and he should identify the problem pretty quickly.
Are the noises a form of creaking or squeaking.
Do you know if you have aftermarket adjustable shock absorbers fitted. Grinding/ clunking can be Rose joints on these shock absorbers.
Similar in noise to failed/ old drop links attached to the rear anti rollbar

Thanks for that.

The noise is creaking, no sign of squeaks. There's nothing aftermarket on the car, I bought it new in 2002. I can't recall the shock absorbers ever being changed.

[ClassicChimaera]

bad company said:

Thanks for that.

The noise is creaking, no sign of squeaks. There's nothing aftermarket on the car, I bought it new in 2002. I can't recall the shock absorbers ever being changed.

fantastic

Drop links as said above then. Cheap and very easy to replace by a good mechanic.

If you crouch down at the rear of the car and look under towards the front, follow the tail pipes and you'll see a solid bar that's clamped to both lower main chassis rails and carries on out towards each rear wheel. At each end you'll see the drop link bolted though holes in the bar and then extending up with more rubber bushes connecting it to the lower wishbones. Ford Mondeo are a good replacement but just use your usual mechanic and you shouldn't have a problem.

[ClassicChimaera]

You may have a worn shock so again a mechanic should identify which it is.

[bad company]

Thanks again for the help. You guys are amazing.

I'll take it to Kerridges in Needham Market. Their mechanic who does the annual service actually did the pre delivery inspection when I bought the car new. Nice touch that.

Edited by bad company on Sunday 2nd April 23:14

[QBee]

It may only take a squirt or two of lubricant - could be one of your cheaper visits!

I agree with the lads - ARB joints would be my first thought.
It could also be rusted or even broken springs. Springs aren't expensive (£30-50 a corner).

If it does turn out to be age-worn or leaking dampers, they can be refurbished by Bilstein, but that isn't exactly cheap with Bilsteins.
So you might choose to replace them with a complete new set - Bilstein have developed a better solution for the Chimaera these days, that will improve the ride and handling of your car.

[bad company]

So the car went onto the ramp and it was found that the handbrake cable had come adrift and got caught which made the noise.

No big deal at all, thanks for the help guys.

[QBee]

I would never have thought of that. Stored for future use.
Glad it was something simple to resolve