I apologise for asking as I think the answer is obvious but ...

I have an irritating squeak at the rear of my XK8 coupe with CATS. It happens on and off, not always over bumps or turns but it's probably more noticeable at low speeds. Ride height is fine, lower shock bush is new but I haven't touched the top end.

I found that if I jacked the car up with the rear wheel removed and then used a second jack under the hub to flex the spring and shock I could induce a squeak (or groan). After much upping and downing it seemed to come from the shock or spring and I could feel it in the spring. After some time I soaked the top of the spring in penetrating oil and the squeak went.

Would this suggest the spring packer has failed? If I'm messing with that I suppose I should do all the bits up there.

Any thoughts?

 

Save your money for something serious WD 40 is cheap

 

drmike,
The upper rear spring locates withing a steel flange [item 3] which then fits within a conical 'rubber' Cushion [item 5]. Under pressure, the orange coloured Cushion finds it's own centre within the body mounted Cup [item 6].
Your squeak could be coming from the Cushion-to-Cup interface. As Pistnbroke suggests, spraying some lubricant here (Oil or Silicone) may have eliminated the noise.
Also, check that the spring has not twisted which will put the top slightly off centre. The bottom Spring coil should be seated completely within the pigtail rubber [item 4].
If the squeak returns, then it is potentially coming from the shock damper.

 

Thank you both. I will check the seating of the spring as best I can and use some lubricant at the top which so far seems effective.

 

Traditional trade advice would be to turn the radio up.

 

It's true.