XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) 1997 - 2003

How to replace front shock bushings on XJ8 or XJR with pics HOW TO.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #21  
Old 12-03-2015, 08:06 PM
Jhartz's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia beach va
Posts: 3,427
Received 866 Likes on 714 Posts
Default

A better answer: RockAuto's is even using the right foam which shouldn't get hard in cold weather. No big hammer, broken socket, or need to buy or find a press.
 
  #22  
Old 07-06-2016, 10:55 PM
King Charles's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina,USA
Posts: 4,511
Received 1,020 Likes on 741 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Vector
The jacking height is important to make sure you have the car high enough to take the pressure off the bushings, but not so high that the shock "drops" when you remove the retention nut
What would you estimate the "sweet spot" height-wise is, I plan on tackling this very soon.

Thanks
 
  #23  
Old 07-07-2016, 10:06 AM
Jhartz's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia beach va
Posts: 3,427
Received 866 Likes on 714 Posts
Default

It will be obvious to you as you unbolt the shocks and the mounts. Just raise the vehicle incrementally to keep the load off the mount.
 
  #24  
Old 07-07-2016, 10:44 PM
Vector's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,683
Received 448 Likes on 333 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by King Charles
What would you estimate the "sweet spot" height-wise is, I plan on tackling this very soon.

Thanks
Just take the weight off the wheels + about 1/2" or so higher.
Vector
 
The following users liked this post:
King Charles (07-08-2016)
  #25  
Old 10-06-2016, 07:19 PM
King Charles's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina,USA
Posts: 4,511
Received 1,020 Likes on 741 Posts
Default

How long would say this job takes, thanks.
 
  #26  
Old 10-07-2016, 07:06 AM
Vector's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,683
Received 448 Likes on 333 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by King Charles
How long would say this job takes, thanks.
Total one hour: 30 Minutes to remove and another 30 to re-install both sides, plus whatever time it takes to have the old bushings R&R yourself or at a shop with a press.

The mounts/plates with new bushings are available now at attractive prices, which makes pressing out the bushings unnecessary, you simply replace the entire mount with new bushings.

Check out RockAuto for the parts.
Vector
 
The following users liked this post:
King Charles (02-19-2017)
  #27  
Old 12-14-2016, 02:06 AM
TexasXJR's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DTX
Posts: 44
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Bushing material?

Originally Posted by Vector
Today I got started replacing my upper front shock bushings on my 2001 XJR with 74K miles. The old stock orange bushings were starting to crumble, but I had not started to get the clunk sound everyone talks about when they are completely worn out.

The job is pretty simple. Took about 30 minutes to remove both sides.

Pics of the removal included, now I just have to take the bushing mounts to my local mechanic to have the old ones pressed out and new ones installed.

I bought new, black bushings with new shock nuts and washers on the 'bay for about $50 here: Front Upper Shock Mount Bushings Set / Kit, Jaguar XJ8, VDP & XJR,1998-2003 | eBay

Excellent instructions were included with the kit, I would attach them, but they are marked "Do not copy, property of ......"

The dealer only sells the entire bushing assembly, mounting plate and all for about $300 each, so doing the job this way is significantly less expensive.

I'll post some more pics and a final report when the job is complete.
Vector
Thanks for the great thread!
Are these urethane bushings? If so do they have as good of a ride as the spongy bushings that are oem?
 
  #28  
Old 12-14-2016, 09:13 AM
Jhartz's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia beach va
Posts: 3,427
Received 866 Likes on 714 Posts
Default

No: they suck, rattle in the Winter as they harden. Two brands on the market that have soft foam and are ready to mount for the same price ss the repair kits. I have done both (lots of threads). Rock Auto sells Uro kits.
 
  #29  
Old 12-14-2016, 04:54 PM
bdboyle's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Morrisville PA
Posts: 645
Received 164 Likes on 113 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Vector
I would also add that right now Rockauto has the entire mount assembly with new bushings for $58 per side, so no more sockets and BFH's needed.
Vector
Just checked Rock Auto, and they're listed as $37.79 a side right now. Uro parts.

Just ordered a set. Mine are beginning to show signs of deterioration...might as well have them on hand, right?

(Same thought as I was throwing a P054 code...passenger side #4 cylinder coil was intermittently turning on the CEL...so, ordered a new coil, installed, cleared the code, drove for 50 miles to set the P1111 code...works fine...but also ordered a second coil for the shelf, just in case...)
 
  #30  
Old 12-15-2016, 08:34 PM
Vector's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,683
Received 448 Likes on 333 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by TexasXJR
Thanks for the great thread!
Are these urethane bushings? If so do they have as good of a ride as the spongy bushings that are oem?
It has been a while since I replaced mine so I don't recall exactly, but they felt like hard rubber, not urethane.

Also, mine are dead quiet too, no problems.

I did the front upper shock bushings and also replaced the bushings and links on the sway bars front and rear all at the same time.

Transformed the car, drives like new now and the total cost was about $200 in parts IIRC.
Vector
 
  #31  
Old 12-15-2016, 09:23 PM
King Charles's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina,USA
Posts: 4,511
Received 1,020 Likes on 741 Posts
Default

I've had the mounts from Rock Auto here for monthes now, I may finally be motivated enough to tackle it now. Glad this thread was bumped for reminder.
 
  #32  
Old 01-13-2017, 03:24 AM
King Charles's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina,USA
Posts: 4,511
Received 1,020 Likes on 741 Posts
Default

Bumped for this weekend's planned task.
 
  #33  
Old 02-19-2017, 04:21 PM
ant17's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 460
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Awesome info here, thx
 
  #34  
Old 02-19-2017, 06:30 PM
Rpach10115's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Lindenhurst, NY
Posts: 217
Received 65 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by King Charles
Bumped for this weekend's planned task.
It's a simple job.
It will take 10-15 minutes per side.
 
The following users liked this post:
King Charles (02-19-2017)
  #35  
Old 02-20-2017, 02:34 PM
Rpach10115's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Lindenhurst, NY
Posts: 217
Received 65 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ant17
Awesome info here, thx





This is how the car sits after replacing all 4 shocks.
Before, it would sag to the rear. Now it's level.

18" wheels and tires should be here next week.
 
  #36  
Old 06-11-2021, 08:11 PM
VincentThomas's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Great help from you all!

Thank you all so much! I just purchased my first Jag, (a 2003 XJ8, white with tan interior 👍🏻&#128526 and have been going through a punch list of items. It has 108,800 miles on it and the upper shock mount bushings were crumbling away. I bought two new mounts with the bushings already installed so I skipped over the whole compressing the new bushings. The mounts were about $30.00 each from Parts Geek. Thanks to you guys, I knocked it out in no time.
Also, thanks to this forum, I flushed my coolant, changed my oil and filter, air filter, and cleaned my gummed up throttle body. Previous owners didn’t love her the way I’m going to, that’s for sure! 😊
 
The following users liked this post:
Jhartz (06-14-2021)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
philwarner
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
13
12-06-2021 07:13 AM
Fraser Mitchell
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
9
10-01-2015 04:06 AM
Doug Dooren
XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 )
0
08-30-2015 08:51 AM
perfectphoto
XK8 / XKR ( X100 )
1
08-29-2015 10:11 PM
aquifer
XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 )
1
08-29-2015 04:54 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 3 (0 members and 3 guests)
 


Quick Reply: How to replace front shock bushings on XJ8 or XJR with pics HOW TO.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:25 PM.