The rear shocks seem to be completely shot on my old Jag. I was hoping you could recommend a best brand/model of shocks for replacement. I checked with Jaguar and they still make the shocks for this model, but at $450 each. I've looked around online and noticed Bilstein brand rear shocks seem to be an option, but at a much less expensive price. Thanks for any input!

 

Bilstein is OEM. Does it have CATS?If it doesn't have the electronically adjustable suspension, then just get the green Bilstein rears
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440772&pt=7556

 

What is CATS and how can I tell if it has CATS? Yes, I am fairly mechanically ignorant. I bought the car so far as I know with everything Jag offered back in late '99 on the XJR. When I called the dealer they requested the VIN number and came back with the $450 each replacement shocks. Was the electronically adjustable suspension an option back then, or the norm on the XJR? Thanks!

 

If you open your hood and see wires going to the tops of your front shocks, you have CATS. Sometimes the shock mounts are covered with a plastic cap.

If you see just the mount bolted up, no wires, no CATS, and that link/PN I sent is the way to go.

Read some of the other threads on replacing rear shocks, and get the big spring seat foam "donut" if you're replacing the shocks anyway. Also keep in mind front shocks are relatively easy, but rears are a bit more involved.

 

I'll have a look and take a picture. I've looked at some of the threads, will look further for this 'donut'. The front shocks were replaced a few months ago. The car was in the shop for just over 2 years, rodent damage to some wires that caused a ricochet of issues - no dealership would even take it on. Anyway, we picked it up finally, and as soon as we hit potholes leaving Houston it was clear the rear shocks had rotted out while it sat there - as well as some interior issues - regardless I am grateful to them. They replaced the front shocks just prior to pick up, told us no problem with the rear shocks, that didn't prove true, they are totally gone. Anyway, I'll take a photo. I've looked at Youtube vids of rear shock replacement on models close to mine. When you say more involved, maybe you could tell me more about that? My husband wants to use the shop that takes care of his trucks, but I'm a bit reluctant. It also still has some sort of battery drain issue - that was true before it went in the shop, and remains the same. No one can ever offer an explanation or resolve. We're going to put a new battery in it, but I know its going to be the same. Thanks again. I love my car, it was an extravagance that I always felt like paid in spades, I've not bought another since, had few problems until the battery drain started after another Houston shop fixed the cruise control, radio problems after as well, and then finally the wiring damage a few years later that made the electronics go crazy. At idle it racked up thousands and thousands of miles while Mike was charging the battery, a few days later you couldn't shift gears. Grateful to have it back, just want/need to be able to drive it! (can't see where this posted, so reposting, used the quick reply before, apologies if it duplicates)

 

Here is a picture of the right front shock.

 

front shock

 

No wires, so the part number I linked to is the correct one for your rears. You can look up that Bilstein PN on google to find on other sites as well, in case rockauto is out of stock. It is exactly the same part as you would get if you paid a dealer $450/each.

The "donut" is part 5 here https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...assembly/29022

Also available elsewhere, just google that part number.

As for "more involved" read this thread entirely https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-video-201680/

 

Thanks Nilanium .... reminds me again why I love this site, and hate the FB forums ....

 

if need some almost brand new donuts, the mounts and other bits for cheap I’ll send them to you.

 

Just drove my car home with new rear shocks, Bilstein's. It drives pretty great now. Stanley's Car Clinic in Beaumont was super. Now have new radio issue, I'll look to the right spot to post that query.