Note and commentary,
I recently was faced with a blown air shock on the front right of my 2004 XJ8. As we all know this is an expensive repair. After reseach here and elsewear I decided on Strutmasters conversion system. It was a simple install by my local mechanic. He did a great job and we were back on the road the same day. I highly recommend this system. And the folks from Stutmaster were great to work with. I feel the ride is better than original.

Great driving to all.

Bob

 

Bob,

I've moved this thread from New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum to X350. The information is directly relevsant to members here.

Graham

 

I do understand the sticker shock for the replacement item, but brand new Bilsteins (OE) can be had at around the $800 mark. I have debated this issue concerning using a spring over shock vs. the air suspension for a while now, and dealt with it on my XJ40, and for my X350, there is some validity to not getting rid of the original design. I recently purchased this newer vehicle, and while it has 100k, the system is still in pretty good shape. There are some dynamics concerning spring rates and DSC systems that really rely on the original design to function as intended, and for me, that is a part of why I purchased the vehicle to start with. There are other factors concerning it's design, dealing with vehicle dynamics that even variable rate springs wouldn't address. So that is why I am going to in the next month or so, place aside the funds to do a replacement of the originals prior to system failure.

I have heard good things about the folks at Strutmasters, but I'm not willing to give up the engineering behind the Sport mode, DSC and eCATS, and I do love the ride quality.

 

Hi David
sorry for the absence. I did a lot or research on this before I committed to this path. It seems the common story became as one shock went others followed and then the compressors. These air shocks have spurred an entire industry for dozens of models of automobiles. It also seems no one regrets the decisions to go to the more conventional shock, and they come with a lifetime warranty.

Best of luck which ever way you choose.

PS: I now have about 500 miles on the conversion and results have been spectacular.

Bob
Jag XJ 8 Vandenplas 2004
Jag XJ6 1996