I am looking for advice - I have a 2000 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas - Base Model that based upon the loud knocking everytime I go over a bump from the back the bushings at the shock mount are totally gone. I had the same issue with the front but that was easy enough to replace myself.

I was going to replace these also myself using this video I found on here as a guide :
However, given you really need a lift I decided to just pay to get it done. But the issue is no one is willing to do this job at all. I called Ford since that is the closest we got here to the dealer and they said NO, I called Meinke and they said No as well as 3 other local shops. I am at a bit of a loss because based upon this video I do not think the job is all that bad.

So does anyone have recommendations as follows:
1. If I do this myself, has anyone every done it with jack stands and good lift jacks in the driveway and what challenges did you face.
OR
2. Can anyone recommend one of the "chain" businesses that might do this if #1 does not work for me?

Thank you all in advance for your help.

 

Just did using that procedure. Worked great. See this link for more pointers:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-video-201680/

 

Were you able to do it in your driveway using Jack Stands or did you do it on a lift? That is my real question about this? Also if you did it without a lift, did it take the 30-40 minutes per side like the video indicates?

Thanks again for your response and help.

 

That is a very good video of how to replace the rear shocks and donuts. The video shows the work done on a lift, but it can easily be done with jacks and jack stands in your garage.

Several forum members have done this job and this is a link to helpful information.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-video-201680/

If you do decide to do the repair I would recommend that you replace with OEM Bilstein shocks (VDP comfort shocks are colored black, the sports shocks are colored green) Be sure to replace the upper donut bushings, they are an essential part of the repair and can also be responsible for a good 1" of sagged ride height.

(Pcola beat me to it)


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Thanks for the additional information, I guess I know what I will be doing on this 3 day weekend.

 

Read my posts on the above link...................working with jacks it took me 2 1/2 hours to do the first side, and then 2 hours to do the other.

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Here's another forum link of a member who tackled the rear shocks.....
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cement-243275/

 

Did without a lift. I lifted both wheels off the ground with jack stands. I have a 4"x4"x14' piece of lumber. The garage door to my workshop is 12' wide. I brace the lumper on the edges of the door opening and roll the front wheels to the lumber to remove any danger on rolling.
I'd say first side took me two hours and second side a bit less. If brakes are close to replacement, might as well do them also.

 

Big ditto! I used the green. Got at Rock Auto for a good price. It's still a very soft ride.

 

While you're down there you might want to check/change your differential fluid especially if leaking/weeping. Mine was weeping at a seal and about half full. It's a bit of a pain.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...change-246086/

 

i did this job multiple times while drunk. you need very little clearance at all to do it, 15 minutes per side.

rotate half shafts to max down travel.

undo 4 a frame bolts

hammer piece of wood or something in there

undo shock bolt

undo tower bolts

beat spring with hammer

out it comes

if you can’t get the spring back in use a scissor jack to force it down

 

I got the car back together but fir the life of me I can’t find where to plug this wire back into.

see the pic.

 

abs sensor on the big silver hub carrier

 

It's the connector for the wheel speed sensor. The male fixed connector is "hidden" behind the brake rotor, difficult to see unless you know it's there.

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Thanks for the quick reply. All button up now. Now onto the other side.

 

Thank you for chiming in. This was the key to the job that the video does not show. I was able to finish the one side and then when I moved onto the other, I used this method to both remove and replace the spring and shock. In both cases it just went right out and in.

Take care and thanks again.