XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) 1997 - 2003

Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-01-2014, 03:34 PM
Badbenz94's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 360
Received 42 Likes on 36 Posts
Default Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW

Hello all,

I know there are a few threads(many?) on the lower shock bushings. I wanted to relay what symptoms I had and what I looked for.

I have had a knock/rattle from the front end since I don't know when. I had the end links replaced under warranty some years ago at 60k miles(the car now has 89k). When I had the lower ball joints replaced 8 months ago the mechanic said the end links were bad and needed replacing and everything else looked great. Needless to say I have taken way too long to address something that has been driving me nuts.

SO, I put the car up on jackstands and removed the wheels as I have mentioned in other posts to see this...



Wow, I cant believe what I see. So I ordered new bushing from Patrick Jaguar and get them the next day.

After seeing this thread https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estion-117507/

I make my own "press". It worked like a charm. Just as an FYI the above photo is with the wheel removed and the car on a jackstand. If you were to look at the shock under normal compression/ride height, you would not see any reason to replace it as you would not see any void.

This is what a new bushing and the old one looked like..



It took about a 1/2 hour to replace each one on the car. I also checked the sway bar links. They are fine.

This is what a new one look like under the same condition(essentially being the limiter of the spring and suspension)..It looks worse than it is because I had to put a light behind it to show there is still more deflection than I would like but must be there for some comfort factor..



Once it was back together, I am in AWE how much of a difference it made. NO MORE NOISE!! Too the handling has improved quite a bit. If you have not done it yet, I know a lot of you already have, take a look at yours. This was an easy and cheap repair that made a world of difference($33 including the "customer puller/press".

Chris
 
Attached Thumbnails Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW-887e55ca-96e8-445c-9baa-9e49c91b41e7.jpg   Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW-47b21871-d3c7-49a0-bb41-4c36583fe1ca.jpg   Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW-5fe33cfa-3b3a-4ed1-b2e2-d52f3e48eaf2.jpg  

Last edited by Badbenz94; 06-01-2014 at 08:08 PM. Reason: Added additional explanation
The following 5 users liked this post by Badbenz94:
DJ-Roy (06-01-2014), Graham Royls (06-02-2014), jaguarcraver (06-01-2014), JimC64 (06-01-2014), Porsche407 (06-02-2014)
  #2  
Old 06-01-2014, 06:34 PM
DJ-Roy's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Amsterdam The Netherlands
Posts: 211
Received 28 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

Yea replaced the front lower rubbers bushings few months ago mine had play too,, I have the rear lower shock bushings next to do ,the lower bushings on the rear shocks are different ..
 

Last edited by DJ-Roy; 06-01-2014 at 06:37 PM.
  #3  
Old 06-02-2014, 08:11 AM
Porsche407's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Boca Raton, Fl
Posts: 199
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Badbenz94
Hello all,

I know there are a few threads(many?) on the lower shock bushings. I wanted to relay what symptoms I had and what I looked for.

I have had a knock/rattle from the front end since I don't know when. I had the end links replaced under warranty some years ago at 60k miles(the car now has 89k). When I had the lower ball joints replaced 8 months ago the mechanic said the end links were bad and needed replacing and everything else looked great. Needless to say I have taken way too long to address something that has been driving me nuts.

SO, I put the car up on jackstands and removed the wheels as I have mentioned in other posts to see this...



Wow, I cant believe what I see. So I ordered new bushing from Patrick Jaguar and get them the next day.

After seeing this thread https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estion-117507/

I make my own "press". It worked like a charm. Just as an FYI the above photo is with the wheel removed and the car on a jackstand. If you were to look at the shock under normal compression/ride height, you would not see any reason to replace it as you would not see any void.

This is what a new bushing and the old one looked like..



It took about a 1/2 hour to replace each one on the car. I also checked the sway bar links. They are fine.

This is what a new one look like under the same condition(essentially being the limiter of the spring and suspension)..It looks worse than it is because I had to put a light behind it to show there is still more deflection than I would like but must be there for some comfort factor..



Once it was back together, I am in AWE how much of a difference it made. NO MORE NOISE!! Too the handling has improved quite a bit. If you have not done it yet, I know a lot of you already have, take a look at yours. This was an easy and cheap repair that made a world of difference($33 including the "customer puller/press".

Chris
Can you post a pic of your "press"? Need to do some upper & lower bushings this week!
 
  #4  
Old 06-02-2014, 09:02 AM
Badbenz94's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 360
Received 42 Likes on 36 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Porsche407
Can you post a pic of your "press"? Need to do some upper & lower bushings this week!

Here you go! I can't take credit for this novel idea, I did link where I stole someone else's idea.

Here is all I grabbed, a 5" and 6 1/2" 3/8 bolt(you will need the longer bolt for pressing in the new bushing), two large washers and a nut. I used a 12pt 27MM Craftsman socket(I think if it were a 6 point, the bushing may go in and never come out lol) and a 18mm Craftsman socket.





As you can see them "assembled and not". The large socket is going to fit around the opening of the shock and be the receiver of the old bushing, while the smaller socket will be used to press out and press in the new bushing and will fit inside the opening of the shock. I lubed up the new bushing before pressing it in, and it slid in very nicely.

Hope this helps!! If Im not clear please ask.

Too, while the shock is in the loaded position, thats when its best to break the bolts loose as one bolt semi froze in the bushing. Then place your jack under the control arm and raise it to "unload" the shock and sway bar and it all comes apart very easily.

Good luck!! You will love the results!!

Chris
 
Attached Thumbnails Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW-fed1091c-4ac9-4f3f-9c9b-4d9f77cacc44.jpg   Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW-c8e73107-1c97-4e48-bde6-1675edc76e4d.jpg  
  #5  
Old 11-26-2020, 12:04 AM
wrightbenz's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: chicago
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Badbenz94
Hello all,

I know there are a few threads(many?) on the lower shock bushings. I wanted to relay what symptoms I had and what I looked for.

I have had a knock/rattle from the front end since I don't know when. I had the end links replaced under warranty some years ago at 60k miles(the car now has 89k). When I had the lower ball joints replaced 8 months ago the mechanic said the end links were bad and needed replacing and everything else looked great. Needless to say I have taken way too long to address something that has been driving me nuts.

Chris
Chris where did you get the bushing for $33 ?
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Forcedair1
XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 )
37
05-14-2023 03:28 PM
PMKimpton
X-Type ( X400 )
15
08-03-2019 08:22 PM
KarimPA
New Member Area - Intro a MUST
8
09-03-2015 07:32 PM
OkieTim
Jaguar Forums Feedback & Suggestion Center
2
09-02-2015 12:48 PM
XJsc-guy
PRIVATE For Sale / Trade or Buy Classifieds
0
09-02-2015 11:43 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Replaced Lower Shock Bushings....WOW



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:20 PM.