I have a rattle coming from the rear suspension on my 1989 Defender.
I replaced the rear springs at the same time as I changed the chassis.
According to the workshop manual there is an upper spring pad/isolator.
Mine are absent and I suspect that this may be the cause of the rattle.
Could someone please confirm that these are fitted.
Thanks.

No there is no upper spring pad/isolator/clamp on the Defenders but they were fitted to the Disco's and RR's.

There shouldn't be a rattle as the landrover should be sat down on and compressing the spring ?

If you have the rear anti-roll bars fitted then it is very unlikely that you will 'unseat' the rear springs, without the anti-roll bar it is possible - the unseated spring then rubs against the tyre making a "I must have picked up a twig or something" noise untill it rubs the tyre away and there is a very, very loud BANG - ask me how I know.

I have a 1990 Ninety, had it a long time, never had "isolation pads". As above re unseated spring and also check the shock/damper fittings.