After 4 years of trying to diagnose a slight rattle over bumps I think I've discovered it was the plastic damper covers. The plastic inside is worn and it doesn't fit snugly anymore. Does anyone know where I can source new ones? How horrible would it be to drive without them? I presume it protects the adaptive shock wiring from heat and grime, which seems important.

Thanks.

 

Doubt that is the source of your rattle: but remove them and see if the noise goes away. Worn-out upper shock mounts (or ones rebuilt with hard neoprene inserts) the usual suspect. Replacement after market units are now dirt cheap and available for both standard and electronic shocks. Lots of threads.

 

Hi Jim,

The shock mounts are pretty new and they are not neoprene. In fact I think I ordered them based on one of your past posts. They’ve been on for about 7k miles (had the car about 11k miles). The noise was there when I bought the car.

I thought it was something in the headlights or lower suspension. I replaced all the bushings and ball joints in the upper and lower control arms as well as the anti-sway bar. I also replaced and properly mounted the headlight assemblies, no effect on noise. The shocks are also new (front and rear). Removing the plastic caps did reduce the noise but did not eliminate. So, they were contributing. It’s just a squeak that’s left. It’s mild but it bugs me!

 

Hi Jeff,
I've got a few x308s at the workshop and will have a look at this component tomorrow. May be in the same condition as yours but if it is in better condition I'm sure I could send one over to you if you are stuck for finding a source.
I'll have a play about with this part and see if I can recreate the same noise.

I suspect this part is not related to the cause of the noise but perhaps you removing it has just minimised friction caused by another component failing?

 

Contact fellow forum member's shop, he has a plethora of X308 hard to find parts.

https://shop.everydayxj.com/

 

I think you guys are right, I'm being too optimistic. One of those caps was a little loose and I think it did make sound over bumps, but I wedged it on tighter and it stopped. The original noise is still there. Let me clarify that pretty much no one would notice except me. I'm also the guy that put felt stickers on the back of all my wood trim pieces to make them noise free, but I digress.

The noise is impossible to reproduce in the garage. I may never know what that little squeak/rattle is. It's an 18 (now 19!) model year old car. No matter how well I take care of it I guess it's going to have it's quirks.

 

I too am **** about cabin noise, after replacing all vents,felting wood trim I still had a small creak, turned out to be the actual dash/bulkhead where it meets the windshield center. For now remedied w/a matching piece of cardboard folded not like an accordion tucked away in the gap lol.

 

Hi Jeff,

I am fairly certain those covers are purely cosmetic, so it's no problem to remove them. Our '01 XKR has them, but our '03 XJ8 and a friend's '04 XK8 do not. I assume that by 2003 Jaguar had discontinued them. But if you really want new ones and David at everydayxj.com doesn't have them, try Kevan at growlerparts.com.

Cheers,

Don

 

the 03 XJR R1 i raided at the junkyard had them, my 99 VDPSC has them too. i’m pretty sure it’s just a cover for the connector on cats equipped cars

 

I think they came on cars with the CATS electronic suspension (primarily R cars) because of the wiring connection. I had a 2003 XJR and now a 2002 XJR, both had/have covers. I had a 2001 XJ8 that did not (standard suspension).

You are probably right though, it’s likely just cosmetic to hide the wiring connection.

 

I went to the dealership for the shock caps. I was out of luck. They told me they don't make them anymore. Time to scour the junkyards again....