I believe the rear spring sits on what is called the rubber pigtail.

Are these known to perish over time?

 

I bought new in prep for the rear suspension R&R as they were frayed at the exposed edges, although the main seating area turned out to be still intact, so I could have re-used them.

 

I am correct in thinking they are quite meaty items?

 

Mmm. Not what I'd call meaty - moulded rubber around 1/8" thick:



A tad expensive, though, at ~GBP20

 

I'm asking because I have recently bought an XK8 and amongst other rear end rattles there's an awful metal on metal creak that happens from time to time. Yesterday I put a lot of silicon grease spray near the pigtail and it's a lot better which of course could be coincidence. But possibly not. If that pigtail had split or wot not then maybe it's the source of the squeak.

I assume it is a complete circle so I can't fit a new one without dropping the shocks etc. which in fairness I'll probably have to in order to cure the rattles - but one step at a time!

 

'Fraid it is so. You could likely compress the spring enough to slide a new one in, but then there's the lower part of the shock to contend with.

Check the lower shock bushings:- they're a common failure and could cause a rattle

 

But a good old metal on metal squeak? It looks like they have been changed already and it's only done 76k miles, but yes it's on the to do/check list.