Hi,
After trying 10 different things, and messing with ball joints and links and latches, etc, the only thing that cured this creaking/squeaking noise from the rear of the truck was replacing the entire rear shocks. The shocks and springs apparently come as one assembly - part 163 320 23 13.

No more creaks and squeaks!

session,

yep, sold as one piece. approx $270 each.

FR

Hi Robert,
How has your replacement project come along?
I got mine done by the dealer as I'm not mechanically inclined.
But I have to say if I had just believed them when they told me it was the shocks in the first place instead of asking them to try a string of 'cheaper solutions' I would have saved money....

Instead I had to pay for earlier solutions that I insisted on and didn't work, and then end up paying for new shocks as well... Oh well...
Lesson learned.

Ah ha! That's where the noise is coming from. Since I only hear the noise when the weather is real cold, I always thought the noise is caused by some frozen rubber on the car =P

How many kms do you have on your ML? I am reaching 90K next month and I never had to change any shocks and my shocks are as good as the first day I bought my car! Do you guys do alot of offroading? maybe thats why My buddy just came back from squamish and he had a $800 worth of damage done to the suspension =)

Some off roading, but not much.
Mostly due to MA roads. MA roads are 3rd worst in the nation - potholes especially

session,

Spring/shock Project complete! It was indeed a challenge but the result is a welcomed improvement. It lowered the ML approx 1.25 inches and it looks and handles much better (as much as a 4700lb truck is capable of anyway)

A how-to doc with imagery garnish is in the works.

post install stance. A set of 430 rims will be waiting at the chateau tomorrow according to FedEx.

FR

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Congratulations...