creaking noise coming from the back

[Lib3RB]

Hi all,

Having this weird creaking noise coming from the back left of my Liberty and it seems to be getting worse everyday. I thought It was the boot so I sprayed WD40 all over the hinges after taking the lining off.
I suspect the noise could be the springs or shocks as the Bilsteins have taken quite a beating on these harsh Sydney roads.

I have taken a sound recording, could anyone suggest where I could upload this?

[Dropz]

Not sure how to upload sound recordings as I don't do it, however a creaking noise could be a number of things and hard to find. Firstly, is the noise inside the car (ie, trim pieces rubbing, cargo in the boot/backseat, is the rear seat bottom clipped in properly etc.) or is the noise external (ie springs moving in the their seats, shocks loose/wearing, suspension bushes wearing, something flexing or moving etc)

When does the creaking sound occur, at all speeds or at certain speeds. Over big bumps or over slow bumps, high speed cornering, slow speed cornering. Does it change with the boot loaded up or passengers in the vehicle?

The more information you can give for a noise the better, especially without physical inspection of the noise (on our end).

[Lib3RB]

Not sure how to upload sound recordings as I don't do it, however a creaking noise could be a number of things and hard to find. Firstly, is the noise inside the car (ie, trim pieces rubbing, cargo in the boot/backseat, is the rear seat bottom clipped in properly etc.) or is the noise external (ie springs moving in the their seats, shocks loose/wearing, suspension bushes wearing, something flexing or moving etc)

When does the creaking sound occur, at all speeds or at certain speeds. Over big bumps or over slow bumps, high speed cornering, slow speed cornering. Does it change with the boot loaded up or passengers in the vehicle?

The more information you can give for a noise the better, especially without physical inspection of the noise (on our end).

It seems to be inside the car but very hard to tell, my friend was outside the car and claims he couldn't hear it outside. I have emptied the whole boot and backseat is always spotless. Rear seat is clipped in properly also.

The sound itself occurs in pretty much any situation although when I had passengers in the other day, there was one passenger in the front seat and one sitting in the rear left the noise was not present. This was with a fairly heavy guy 100+ kilos and my girlfriend who doesn't weigh much. So I proceeded to test again with a passenger in the front seat and the noise was still there.

[Dropz]

Sounds to be the rear seat, unclip the bottom and take it out, see if it still occurs, if it goes away it may be where it is held down, try putting some CRC/WD40 on the clips or maybe put some tape or fabric around the clips and see if that helps.

[Jed3.0rb]

mate, I have the same problem. i've found it to be the rear seat but cant pinpoint how to fix it. Cuz if i take the rear headresat out it stops haha
but I'd rather have some headrests. so i put it back in and it still creaks
oh wells, i'll fix it eventually i'lll try the unclip clip back in method stated above

[Dropz]

Have you tried putting some electrical tape around the head rest poles, or put a thin cloth (chux is good) around the poles and tape it (just make sure it's all hidden). Yes it sounds rough, but they are very simple fixes instead of trying to dismantle the seat and fix it.

[Lib3RB]

I've tried all suggestions so far and can confirm the back seat nor the headrests are causing this issue. Yesterday morning on the way to work the noise was non existent and then on the way home it came back. It's been raining recently in NSW could that have something to do with it? Could it be the shocks or springs? The noise returns after a long drive

[Dropz]

Springs can make a noise when wet as they are seated in a rubber seat to stop them rubbing against the strut and making grinding noises.

[Dropz]

Try wetting the springs and struts with water and bounce the car on the spot, see if it's noisey.

[matt_3.0rb]

Sedan or wagon? My wagon makes a bit of noise but I have the large boot liner and a load cover so I have put it down to that.
It could be the leather on leather sqeak. Do the seats move even a little when they are clipped in.

[Nick3.0rb]

Hey mate, I've had the same problem, I have two creaking noises one is from the subwoofer shaking the rear light on the parcel shelf and the shelf itself, but I can also hear another noise when I go over bumps, I suspect it's the trim but I still can't pinpoint the problem, had any luck?

[BUDDAH]

A chance it could be the rear screen sometimes the body flexes and screen been rigid you get a creaking noise.

[Lib3RB]

OK so in NSW last week it had been raining and the noise has disappeared since then. I think all the rain must have dampened the springs or shocks, maybe when it dries up properly the noise might come back so we'll see.

[Tonic]

Traced mine to the boot tension bars that run along underneath the parcel shelf...... Bit of foam jammed in stopped the click from what had seemed to be the c pillars.......

[UniqueRS]

Dry sway bar mounts can cause a creak noise too, usually slow turning into an elevated driveway or similar.
Other thought is maybe the Styrofoam in the boot (false floor) has come slightly loose and and is rubbing.