Squeaking coming from rear shock area

[86 911]

Hi all,

I've had my '76 911 for about 5 years now and since I've had it, I have been noticing a squeaking/creaking sound coming from the rear shock area. The noise only happens when I go over speed bumps or when I lower the car off the jack and the rear end settles back to its normal height. Other than that, everything appears normal. I have done a search and was not able to come up with too much. I have read that the control arm bushings could also be causing the noise. The shocks are Bilsteins and look pretty old. The control arm bushings have stress cracks and look like they could use replacing. What is confusing is that the shocks do not have the tell-tale signs of being worn out (i.e. the car does not "bounce" while going over bumps). Does anyone have any suggestions of why the noise is occurring? The creaking sounds just like someone is opening an old door that has not been opened in forever. Are there any hazards to driving the car like this? Thanks!

[Flieger]

Do you have a sway bar? Rubber anti-sway bar bushings are notorious for doing that after wearing out and drying out for a while.

[burgermeister]

+1 on Flieger's comment. You can mitigate it by taking the stab bar bushings off and spreading a bit of lithium or silicone grease on the inside.

[m110]

I would argue that if you go to the trouble of removing them you should just replace them...they are cheap.

[porschenut]

I had exactly the same creaking noise. It was solved when I replaced my spring plate bushings and sway bar bushings with new rubber.

[86 911 Targa]

And another +1...........

[Flieger]

Anti-sway bar bushings are easier to replace than the spring plate and trailing arm bushings. Start with the easy stuff first. Also, if you do the trailing arm bushings, you might still have squeaks from the sway bar. I did.