The accordian is only a dust shield and not all that needed. The reason it blows out or is torn is because of rapid failure of the air bag intself. Yes they dont have the aluminum case around them either and in the rear you need to make sure the park brake cable do not rub them. Ive already seen several arnots put in and the cables are wearing the bags. Not a good issue if youde want to warranty 1. But who knows, i ve seen arnot take them back and replace them without issue. And theyre not a $1000 ea either. If you have a leak youll get a leveling, or reservoir plausabilty error. If you dont have a leak(you do) and you get a reservoir error then its not airing in the required amount of time. Simple enough. The biggest headaches on these cars are when a body shop or tech makes a mistake and swaps lines on the solenoid(i had 1 drove me nuts) or someone damages a height sensor or installs the arm over the stop instead of under it. Does all kinds of weird stuff and the car has no faults because it thinks its ok based on info given.....garbage in/garbage out

 

I feel the same way about the shield. Just for grins, what does the dealer sell them for?

I guess Arnott is the sole source? The not replacing the Bilstein shock still bothers me. Are they that expensive?

Also why does no one make a rebuild kit for the compressor?

Thanks for your reply Brutal. I guess I will order a pair of the Arnott rear units. There is an aluminum shield over the air bag itself.

I noticed that there is a big rubber shield to keep the parking brake cable from rubbing.

Eddie




After I cleaned it up.






Rubber bumper between parking brake cable and shock

 

that rubber cushion is to keep the sway bar end links from wearing holes in the cable sheathes. The Arnots dont have the can around the bag which is why I mentioned it as a spot to watchout for. Shocks from dealers go from $850-1300 depending on dealer and area of the country. Yes the shocks are elctronically adaptive and theyre expensive. Just ask anyone with an adaptive shocked Jag like XK or Stype. Theyre more than 2x's as expensive as a standard shock and dealer only items. For instance, on a Stype you can replace all 4 shocks with standards for the same price as almost 2 electronically adjustable ones.
I do have a used rear(comfort), 1 front (sport), used, both tested. And 1 new front comfort. I used to have alot more good tested ones. but sold them. They go fast.
Talk to Bill at Arnot and ask him if theyre still selling compressors. Ive talked to him before and theyre not cost effective for them to reman on a Jaguar. But I believe they do carry outside suppliers compressors from overseas

 

Also why does no one make a rebuild kit for the compressor?

That's a very good question!

I don't believe what Arnott's told Brutal ie that it's not cost effective.

I believe that it's a Wabco conspiracy!

I am sure that most compressor problems could be solved with simply a replacement piston seal.

But there is no money in selling a $10 seal is there?

I think I have identified the seal material and will see if they can be made on a lathe.
BTW MK 82 are u in the UK?

 

Palm Beach Florida, Mate!

Let know about the seals. There have to be a million rebuildable units out there.

I am still trying to make myself pay $400 and up for a partially rebuilt shock unit. Think I would rather bite the bullet a buy new ones.

 

Anyone know if the can from the OEM unit will go on the Reman unit or is it part of the air bag?

 

Just as a matter of interest, is the new XJ from 2009 air sprung?

I ask this because in the UK brochure there is a pic of suspension with a steel spring. which looks like a front one. There is no mention of air springs at all, so maybe Jaguar have finally admitted defeat on this. It was a solution looking for a problem anyway, at least that is my opinion. My old XJ Series 3 was superb on steel. Mind you the steel springs used to break but they weren't 100s of pounds/dollars to replace.

 

The new 2011 xj has air spring in the rear for adjustment, fronts are coil

 

Brutal:

Got the bag Tues. Looks good. Will put it on this weekend. Wish me luck. Do you know where to get the funny clamps that hold the bellows/dust shield on?

Eddie

 

Look for CV Boot clamps at most auto parts stores. Band Clamps also come in a variety of sizes and might be a better match...I've seen them at ACE HW and Grainger has a comprehensive selection. Any earless-type clamp requires a special crimping tool.
Bob

 

Thanks Bob, I will be sending your scanner soon. I have the tools and the clamps are more available than I expected.

Eddie

 

No hurry Eddie, I think rudelover2 wants to barrow it next. I'll coordinate with you after your done using the tool. After everything is reconnected, see is the air suspension system clears it's own DTC's before clearing the codes with the AutoEnginuity code scanner. Some of the Jaguar subsystems reset their own codes, as was the case in the Occupancy Position System B2291 DTC that I was diagnosing earlier this year.
Bob

 

OK. I will be done with it in about a week. Will probably buy one myself

Eddie

 

The Good News: The Bag from Brutal is installed with no obvious leaks.

The Bad News: The car is not leveling itself out. Compressor is running fine and I have plenty of air. Is there something else I have to do or will it eventually sort itself out. Brutal?

Eddie 04VDP

 

Drive it, but slowly, is it on the ground? Sometimes i have to start the car several times and drive around the parking lot. Thats useally a whole lot faster than calibration or lifting with software. And for you free

 

It is up at a driveable height with no msgs. It is just uneven. What sensor does it use to find level?

 

ituses the height sensors on the lower a arms front and rear. I would just drive it if its alittle uneven and not down. Hope it levels,eventually because it really may need to be calibrated. (dealer) 1 hr charge

 

I know mine needs calibration. My right side is higher than my left... And it's both front and rear equally. I'm thinking this can be done with the autoengenuity software...

 

maybe, but you need to have the accuracy of this tool to do it as others have found out when trying to circumvent its use. tool 204-484
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This is a great thread! With some superb dialog....