Took the Jag to work today and on the way to fill up with gas noticed that the front end was bounsing a bit, just felt off. When I stopped I noticed the front end was sitting low, by the time I got it home the front right was about as low as it could get. Didnt have time to look at it, just grabbed my other car so I could get to work.

I recently replaced the front upper & lower shocks mounts and everything seemed OK. The car has CATS and there are no warning lights on. No odd noises, car just bounces a bit in the front. The entire front end is sitting low, but the right front more so than the left. Uppe shock mounts seem to be fine, nothing popped out of the tower or anything, but that's as far as I got.

If anyone has experience with this issue I'd appreciate any feedback. Thinking it's probably the shocks which is bad news. Anyone know where I can get a cheap used fron CATS shock? Pretty sure once I fix this I'm getting rid of the car, it's been a real pain.

 

Photos of the front ride height.

 

Read this, especially Post #7 by Eric.... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-issue-231984/

 

Thanks for the reply, that is helpful...looks like I have a bad shock then. I'll look it over when I get a chance but sure looks like the problem he was having. I really dont want to replace all of the shocks with non-CATS, hopefully I can find one good used CATS shock. If anyone happens to have one or knows someone that does please let me know. At this point just want to get it fixed so I can dump it, dont have time or love for it anymore.

 

Just have to look in The Marketplace, top task bar, 4th from the left...https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/market/231095

 

I recently bought come parts from him, just got in touch asking if he has any available. Thank you for the help.

Just out of curiosity, is this definitely a shock issue? Going to look over the car tomorrow, but want to be sure before I buy a shock. It's odd that a bad shock would cause a ride height issue, I was always under the impression that the springs supported the vehicle and the shocks just provided damping. I've had many blown out shocks on other cars before and they never affected ride height.

 

I myself haven't had this issue, but Ericjansen had and why I pointed you toward him and that thread. You did state yours is CATS, as is mine, albeit its electronically dampened, failure should be the same. I'd ask Col. Sandurz about it also, he can turn a wrench and may have an answer for you.

 

Came home after work and the car was sitting at normal height, very odd. Took it for a drive and could immediately feel the front right was very stiff and by the time I got home it was down again.

Found this thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...m-mode-228031/

Looks like the same exact issue I'm having so I need to replace the shock. Wish I knew about this before I spent the time/money replacing all of the front & rear shock mounts & bushings, I would have just replaced them all with non-CATS Bilsteins. At this point I'd rather not have to replace the rears again and they seem to be OK, so I'll be getting the replacement CATS Bilsteins for the front. Pretty sure the driver side is OK, but I dont think replacing a single shock is a great idea, would rather replace the pair. RockAuto has them for $267 each, better than I've seen in most place but still not inexpensive by any means. Just praying that once I replace these I dont have any issues wirth the rears.

Thanks for the help as always Highhorse, much appreciated.

 

Thing is, if you still have this car 10 yrs later and break, I believe the Bilstein's are lifetime to the original purchaser.

 

Yes, I believe that is still true. I bought a set for my Grand National 15 years ago and have had the rear left replaced twice for no charge by Bilstein. All others have been fine, really nice shocks on that car. Just ordered a pair of the fronts, should have them by the weekend. Guess I'll hang on to the originals for now, I saw an old thread where Col Sandurz said they will rebuild them for around $100 if you send them in. Luckily its the fronts and they're easy to install. With my luck the rears will go as soon as I get the new fronts installed...

 

Got the front shocks installed yesterday, that was definitely the issue. I guess the shocks do coincide with ride height on these cars. Front end is sitting a bit higher now which is good. Just wanted to post back in case anyone has this issue in the future, if so it's probably your shocks.

 

Also on some other cars. In addition to oil (for damping), this type of shocks are also filled with gas under pressure which acts as an "air spring" and combines with the coil spring. The coil springs are not designed to hold the ride height on their own but together with the air springs. After some time, the gas leaks out of the shocks and the air spring disappears causing the suspension to sit lower.

 

Very interesting. Guess it's true what they say - you learn something new every day.

 

I have a 2002 xj8 change shocks now my front is very high. I had to take out the spare tire from my trunk because rear was to low help

 

Which shocks did you replace, front, rear or all? What brand shocks did you install and were they new, refurbished or used?