Bloody creaking noise in the back

[thysonsacclaim]

One thing I noticed when pulling out and turning is a horrid, blood-curdling creaking in the rear end of the car. It doesn't occur when I go around curves on the road and often doesn't happen when I turn at a stop light or sign.

I hear it at it's loudest when I am pulling out of my driveway: I reverse, begin turning, and most go over a small concrete hump (like a speed bump). It usually happens when I am about where I need to be back up to, just before I'm gonna drop it in Drive.

The shocks, front and back, seem to be okay. They give resistance and the car doesn't bounce up and down constantly if I push down on it hard. I don't feel like I'm bouncing around the road, either.

My brother, via telephone, explained it could be the bushings or some other suspension component in the back. However, he wasn't sure and hasn't worked much on these cars. The bushings look cheap, but I'd like to get someone's opinion. I've never tackled anything on the axle or the suspension. Mostly done brake jobs, plug changes, oil changes, electrical work, carburetor swaps, etc. Small jobs.

Any other reason it would make such a horrid (and somewhat embarrassing) sound?

Sorry to ask so many questions, I try to search this forum and others before I ask. I am just learning about the car, and I want to keep it tip top shape. I'm also on vacation from school & work, so it gives me plenty of time to tackle these things while I can. I'd like to be able to use it as my (near) daily driver.

[oscar]

I'm thinking maybe sway bar linkage as a possiblity but not sure.  When mine went it was mainly cornering that caused a horrible grinding sound.  Anyway, jack each rear wheel up one at a time, remove and check the sway bar linkages.  The sound is usually the linkage falling away from the swaybar and scraping on the inside of the rim.  I hope this is all it is because they're relatively cheap and easy to fix. 

Obligatory link and pic 

http://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/sway-bar-linkage/

[thysonsacclaim]

Thanks a bunch for the info. Seems the weather is against me, though. Soon as I pulled the jack and ramps up, it started pouring.

The odd thing here in Florida is that the sun will be shining, bright as can be and it will be pouring like no tomorrow. That and it's usually torrential. So it may be raining at my house, for example, but not across the street. That's what you get for living in a tropical climate, I guess!

Looks like I have my work cut out for me, but luckily these seem to be minor issues. Honestly, the wiring is going to be the biggest pain in the neck because it isn't straight forward; what with all the cutting, splicing and painting of wires that has been done. Still very doable, though.

Once I get everything sorted through, I will start posting about my successes. Mainly about the wiring. I'm fairly good in that area.

[thysonsacclaim]

It is indeed the sway bar!

Got her jacked up right now. I don't know who put the tires on (they are new), but they WAY over-torqued the lug nuts. I don't have access to pneumatic tools at the moment, so just letting it sit with PB Blaster on the nuts before I continue whacking away at them. Only have two off right now. Going to be a loooong evening by the looks of it.

Since I can't get the tire off (yet), I put my hand behind and felt around. It's rubbing on the TIRE and the RIM. Definitely going to have to check the tire out to make sure it's not messed up.

Edit:

Finally got them off. Had to borrow a pry bar. Below is what I found:







I reconnected the linkage and wrapped it with some twine and zip ties. That will have to do for now until I can get replacements.

[oscar]

Good stuff!! Though shame about those bolts.  I overtightened these bolts (even whilst using a torque wrench) and some developed cracks so had to throw em out. 

Hey I had to do the same temporary repair on mine, wire it up till I bought new ones.  You end up taking corners nice and easy. 
Actually, I bought new ones and was going to replace both sides because I try do stuff in pairs but the other one seemed good, plus, the new ones I was supplied with were those plastic ones of the type you can see in that link.  They probably work fine but I wasn't keen on them so I replaced the broken link with a metal type from a wreck.  Been that way for two years at least now.