For 10 years I have wanted an older style 4 door Jaguar.

I bought a 1998 XJ8L recently knowing it needs a few things!

I could really use some advice as to what dealer told me versus your expeinece!

Suspension is 95% of my concern. We dont have a dealer in the area and Im limited to who works on them. I took the car to a place who does 100% forgien cars and is considered to be the expert in the are for these cars. I paid $120 for him to go through the car top to bottom.

My ABS, tranction control, and stabilty control lights are saying: system fail.

Here is what he says it needs: Upper & lower control arms, ball joints, front shocks, front links, Front sway ball bushings, upper shock mount plates. Total Estimate: $3,461. (parts $2,891 labor $570-6 hours)

Thoughts?

To me the labor at 6 hours seems low and like its not the biggest job. Im in Michigan and have no plan of driving it until April/May.

Could I do it myself?

I have looked online and found a couple places where I think I can buy the parts for significantly less. rockauto.com seems to have what I need.

Where would you head next? Advice?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, 6 hours is a decent quote. Estimating systems usually quote 3.5 to 4.5 hrs for front suspension overhaul per each side. Sounds like your mechanic is selling you the parts at full OEM list. Usually there's about 20% profit margin between wholesale and list.

Front suspensions are not very complex. You will need to have ability to lift the front end at a height comfortable for working. If you have the tools, you can do this yourself.

After re-reading your post, my concern is that all fail codes you are listing have nothing really to do with repairs you are about to perform. I recommend getting a professional with a dedicated code reading/reseting software to look at your car. ABS, Traction Control and Stability Control usually are designed to communicate with each other. If one is faulty, such as ABS, it can give faulty codes to Traction and Stability controls. Diagnostic with reset should be no more than $125 (that's the price here in Commiefornia). It may be a bit more where you live but still be much more reasonable than R&R'ing the whole front suspension and you will still need to reset the faulty codes.

 

As above, the system failures have nothing to do with the suspension bushes.

You can note that your shop wants to replace control arms rather than rebush them. That is much more expensive.

He may not be experienced at sourcing suspension parts for a Jaguar.

You can buy a complete front suspension rebuild kit with all the bushes and ball joints for under $500 from one of the well known UK aftermarket suppliers. Even rockauto probably could not beat that. And you'll get it all in one box.

On your parts bill that would save $2200. Now, if you can get the shop to agree to installing your parts that would cut your bill substantially.

The problem is that he seems to be on the low side for hours. That is a problem when he gets to 6 hours and realises that he is now working for free. Your best bet is to discuss this frankly with him. Give him an opportunity to go over his hours with a fine tooth comb. This is much better than fighting over it after the fact.

If you have the skills to do it yourself, then it will probably be a better result than the shop will give you since they don't know much more about Jaguars than you will after reading through the forums and JTIS on this subject.

Another alternative is to look further afield for a Jaguar specialist and drop off the car for a few days.

 

+1

Worn suspension bushes and the ABS etc warning messages are not part of the same issue. The warning messages are certainly not a direct consequence of the suspension wear and rebushing alone will not make them go away.

As you 're not planning on driving the car for around six months, time is on your side to consider the options without rushing into a decision.

You've already checked online parts prices. I'd recommend two more things:

1. download JTIS (Jaguar technical Information System) from the forum by following this link - https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...rchives-65926/
2. have the DTC's (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) read

JTIS will show you in detail exactly how to rebuild the front suspension. From this you can assess whether you have the facilities and skills to do the work yourself. Many members here have done this work and can offer help and advice.

The warning messages will cause error codes (DTC's) to be stored. These codes help troubleshoot what is causing the warning messages to display. Somewhere like Autozone can read codes for you.

If you get any codes, post the actual codes here and not what anyone gives you as a description for them. Generic code descriptions often differ from Jaguar descriptions and this can be very misleading.

Alternatively you could buy a scantool. Check this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...-%2A%2A-33347/ for the many options available.

Note that the cheaper code readers will NOT allow you to read ABS or Trac Control codes.

Graham

 

Could you point me in the right direction to a reputatble place to buy a kit? This sounds like a great deal!



You got to this one before I did! I was headed there. In most cases shouldnt these be able to be rebushed without totally replacing them? Replacing them is by far the big expense in parts in this deal. Rebushing them and doing the shocks isnt a big deal.


Would you have a recommendation on replacement shocks for me?


Thanks guys! I appreciate the assistance.

Dave

 

The ABS/traction/stability lights indicate the need to clean the wheel sensors, possibly replace a broken cable, and maybe repair the ABS module. You can't read the specific codes with a generic code reader.
No one has mentioned checking the secondary chain tensioners and thermostat housing. Those are also issues that need investigation.

 

Replacing the balljoints and bushings individually vs. replacing the entire control arms requires substantially more labor hours so while yours parts cost will be less but the labor hours will increase. I have replaced all of the bushings, ball joints, shock mounts, etc. myself and it is a huge PITA. I do not recommend it unless you have done this type of work before.

If your mechanic is willing to replace everything individually that is likely the best way to go but labor hours should be double what is now quoted. Based on what the front end needs you should likely replace the rear shocks, the upper shock bushings and the large rear subframe bushings. Once all is complete the car should ride like new and you will love it.

 

I planned on that, no reason to have a smooth front and a bumpy rear!

Any recommendations on shocks brand or model?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Stick with the original Bilstein (comfort) shocks

 

One question for the experts, will the Sport type shocks(non CATS) fit in a Comfort car? Same bolts and length?

For the parts, you can go to Steering-Suspension | Jaguar XJ8 X308 - XJR | British Parts UK or Jaguar Parts view Car parts from David Manners Ltd this is what I am doing for my Jag, as local acquisitions can be very high priced.

Try to have the parts with # (OEM) or without the * (these * are the low price and may not live long).

 

Yes they will fit but I don't recommend them. I installed them on my car and hated the results. I took them back off and re-installed the comfort shocks (mine are CATS comfort shocks).

 

So the baby comes home tomorrow!

All new front suspension(bushings, shocks, sway bar ends, bellows, etc), new valve cover gaskets, new trunk shocks(no more golf club to hold up the trunk), serpentine belt, etc.

I dont know what to expect but its gotta be better than when I left it. I cant wait to take her for a drive and I think the weather is going to hold out here in Michigan for me to get it home, take a drive and parked
for the winter!

Thanks for all your help so far, I know you guys saved me a ton on parts and the mechanic was happy with the quality of parts. He also did the work for such a great price I was amazed. If anyone is in MI, I got a guy for you!!

I will follow up with a perfomance report when I have a chance to drive it.

Dave