As my title states my repairman wants to know DO YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHOLE STRUT TO REPLACE SHOCK ABSORBERS? thanks in advance

 

Hello

These PDF files will give the information on the XJ suspension system and detailed instructions with illustrations on replacing front shock absorbers and rear shock absorbers:

Suspension System componets
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...components-pdf

Front Shock Absorber replacement
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...k-absorber-pdf

Rear Shock Absorber replacement
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...k-absorber-pdf

Jim Lombardi

 

thank you very much for the detailed instructions however I am a novice and also need to know if the strut has to be removed so my mechanic can quote me on the labor for it. thanks

 

I don't mean to be an a$$, but if your mechanic doesn't know, maybe you should find a new mechanic.

 

Hi
It looks like your mechanic does not have any experience with working on a Jaguar XJ8 (X308) suspension system.

There are no strut components in the Front Suspension and none that are a part of the Rear Suspension where the rear shock absorbers are located, there is only a differental strut bolted to the differential (see page 5 in the PDF file).

The shock absorbers are called dampers in the Jaguar Electronic Parts Catalog.

The reason I attached the 3 PDF files is that the instructions show that there are no struts in the front or rear suspension system. The step by step instructions and illustrations give all the information you or your mechanic need to know on how to replace all of the shock absorbers (dampers).

Jim Lombardi

 

Hi
One of the forum threads quoted an indy repair shop time at 2.3 hours for the front... 3 hours for the rear (total labor $580).

Some more references and DIY PDF files on XJ (X308) shock absorbers.

These 2 DIY files are great writeups by (blackonyx.com) and probably the best photos of each step for replacing front & rear shock absorbers:

Front Shock Absorbers
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?htd8ykexskva6up

Rear Shock Absorbers
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0m8g9ckc6ee3cj4

Here is another DIY on Front Shock Absorbers replacement - 99 VDP changed front shocks thread (see post#1 has a way to do it without any special tools - has photos of each step):

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ics-faq-55015/

Also a forum tread on how to replace the Rear Shock Absorbers posted by Jaguar Tech - it gives detailed information on the difficulty and the effort required to accomplish it - See post# 4.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-shocks-33916/

Jim Lombardi

 

My old series 3 XJ6 had struts, unless I am mistaken with the terminology. The rears had 2 dampers (shocks) on each side with springs clamped to the damper. The assembly came out as one piece and you had to transfer the springs from the old dampers to the new (I had a shop do this for a few bucks). The X308 springs and dampers are separate, and I have not replaced mine, but it sounds a little more complicated. And, yeah, if the mechanic is asking questions like that ...

 

Mechanic is a friend a labor is 50 an hour compared to jags pricing it is a steal. And they are a local place called then and now auto restoration and do solid work on restoring old cars and have done a lot to my jag and have done pretty solid work. If anyone in the phx area has a better mechanic for jags that is not a dealer lmk please!

And thanks alot jim for all the posts..very helpful