Hey guys, so my 04 XJ8 has had an issue since last winter. When the temperature drops, so does the car. The front would be on the floor when i would wake up in the morning after parking it for the night. Eventually, the back would then drop too. I was told that it could be one shock and the car drops to protect the integrity of the frame and that the defective shock would have to be replaced. Lazy me i never got around to it since when the car would warm up, the shocks would work like normal and hold air for the remainder of the day. This year, it has started to get cold in NYC and now my front passenger side shock makes a sound when i hit a bump like air escaping. If i have a passenger and they exit the vehicle, the same sound happens. I get an air suspension fault message every so often but the car levels itself out eventually after a restart. Any ideas on what to check before i buy another air shock? Thanks guys!

 

That's the same issue I had a few weeks ago. The air shock was busted and I had to have it replaced to the tune of $1600 at the dealership because the Jag specialty shop was closed on a Saturday.

I could have had a steel coil conversion done, but that was another $1700 that I didn't want to spend and would have taken 2 days I didn't have.

 

I just had the suspension converted to springs on my '04 XJ VP. Rear passenger failed...used the Arnott conversion kit....1200+ on parts (delivered in three days), $350 for labor and I'll never have to worry about the other three shocks, the lines, the computer, the compressor, etc., again. Search "Arnott air suspension" and you'll get an entire thread already dedicated to this. Can't tell the difference in the ride....and my car is tall again.

 

I'm guessing that you didn't have the dealership do the conversion.

 

No.

 

I was hoping it was the compressor losing its strength but i always knew that wasnt the case! Thanks guys, i guess ill have to find an air shock.

 

i found a place at rebuildmastertech.com make sure to call direct and you can negotiate for a better price. I got a newly rebuilt front air shock for only $275 after core refund. definitely checkem out

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