Creaking noise from rear end.

[spannerrash]

The picture below is of a second hand rear subframe I bought this summer as a spare. I think it demonstrates MJ's point of how the 171H Bushes (the ones in the bottom of the picture) would have to be more flexible. The fact that the two sets of bushes don't run perpendicular to each other means that one set or the other is going to have to flex in a side to side motion a little. As MJ has already stated.

My concern, if I were to fit the 171L bushes is that they would resist this movement more strongly (again, as MJ has already stated) but I suspect this would put extra strain on the subframe brackets that hold the bushes in place. This may cause it to flex. Not a good idea on a 17yr old subframe.

This is all just opinion and theory but I don't think I want to be the first one to try it out.

The Re-manufactured wishbones I have were only £200 (including the new bushes) and second hand wishbones are quite easy to come by. Consequently It may be worth cutting the hollow wishbones apart and trying to save the bushes. It seems at the moment that the bushes alone are worth more than my complete wishbone (with wrong bushes fitted) and are much harder to get hold of.

Or do I just fit the correct bushes and have done with it? I'll give it some thought.

What do you folks think to the second hand subframe by the way? I thought this was in amazing condition given its age. Only £150 delivered and came from Italy. I guess the donor car must have spent it's life in a dry climate.