Hi:
Im driving a 1997 XJ6 VDP - 76000 miles... Anyone recommend a decent front shock? I do think I need to buy the most expensive shock - just looking for a middle of the road shock since i do not drive the car alot.
Thank you.

 

Look at the upper and lower shock attach bushings as they wear poorly

I could see sunshine through my lower as it walllered out

The lower bushing apparently does not come with a new shock from my understanding

Motorcarman;s recommendation from large experience is to stay with a OEM bushing in this case and not a off brand
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

 

Hey I've only owned my XJ6 for a month now but I can tell you I don't like the cheap Sensen shocks the previous owner had just installed. Our roads are pretty rough here in MI and this car knocks my teeth out when I hit pot holes. Unfortunately I cannot compare it to original since the car came with these, but I though Jag's were supposed to have a softer ride?

The KYB's are usually quality shocks and they're available on Rockauto.com at a decent price right now. Maybe someone can pipe in as to how they ride.

 

The V12 and supercharged inline 6 version of the X300 came with a stiffer shock as Bilsteins were the originals

They can be rebuilt with new internal parts

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-b4kt0y019a00

The softer shocks are B4s and the stiffer ones are B6s off the top of my head

The Bilstein shock catalog showing this is in my other computer to be retrieved later

The 7100 series confuses me

See link below with PDF files:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estion-187768/ ​​​​​​​

 

See also 2nd DPF below this 1st :

 

Thank you everyone. Gives me something to work on. I must admit, I never thought to look what is on there now.
Cheer.

 

The marking my be worn off . If it's a Bilstein I think there is a stamped part # on the bottom cap edge on the bottem cylinder before the bottom attach point

The top cylinder may be light blue as a paint

There may be a gas fill fitting on the top cylinder under the rubber boot

This fitting should be charged between 180 and 200 PSI when there is no load on the shock , this means no jack point on the suspension

Filling this gas fitting may bring some life back to the shock or otherwise get the shock to operate correctly as designed

The Schrader valve fitting can be found at a motorcycle shop and they can possibly fill them for you as they do it all the time for competition dirt bikes

 

Cheers. They are not gas.
Wayne.

 

Hi Wayne,

The original shocks on your VDP are almost certainly the Bilstein "Comfort" versions, currently called the B4. As Parker notes, you want to replace the bushings too, and the good news is that the Bilsteins come with most of the bushings you need except for the lower ones that press in to the control arm. Rock Auto carries the front B4 comfort shocks for just $83 each and the Üro Parts lower bushings for $2.23 each (part number CAC75851). There are less expensive options, but for less than $200.00 including tax and shipping you can get the same shocks Jaguar would sell you for their current retail price of $341.00 each, plus the bushings, current retail price of $34.65 each (!) If you're concerned about using the cheap Üro Parts lower bushings, shop around for a lower price on OEM ones (e.g. search CAC75851 at jaguarmerriamparts.com).

Cheers,

Don

 

Wow after all these comments I am now convinced I need to get myself a set of the B4's.

 

Cheers Don - That's what im going to get.

 

I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the info on the shocks.
Changed them out last weekend, it was a pretty straight forward job. Took about an hour aside, repalced the old shocks with blistiens.
Thank to everyone for the guidance.
Wayne