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Several questions related to replacing the shocks/struts on my 1994 XJ6 VDP. VIN = SAJKIX1743RC691038 MFG 9/93.
1. Would this have been self-leveling?
2. How do I tell if it was converted?
3. I'm fairly goood under the car and can get a strut compressor. Is this something I can do alone. Where can I find instructions?
4. What are the best value front and rear shocks for this? I'm kinda fond of Monroe, but I'm open to advice. If possible, can you give me the part numbers and/or suggest where to buy?
5. Should I replace the rear springs while I'm at it? Any other parts I should look for before starting the job (or ask for if having it done) - e.g., bushings, etc.?
Several questions related to replacing the shocks/struts on my 1994 XJ6 VDP. VIN = SAJKIX1743RC691038 MFG 9/93.
1. Would this have been self-leveling?
2. How do I tell if it was converted?
3. I'm fairly goood under the car and can get a strut compressor. Is this something I can do alone. Where can I find instructions?
4. What are the best value front and rear shocks for this? I'm kinda fond of Monroe, but I'm open to advice. If possible, can you give me the part numbers and/or suggest where to buy?
5. Should I replace the rear springs while I'm at it? Any other parts I should look for before starting the job (or ask for if having it done) - e.g., bushings, etc.?
As always, thanks for your responses.
I have a 94 as well manufactured in 11/93, now according to KYB's site, which I bought some rear struts from recently, they sell the struts for SLS up to 9/94. So you would really want to double check on that. I know there's not a SLS on mine. So take that as a base as to how close you need to be sure.
I had to get struts, not shocks is what I was told. And if you do it yourself make sure you get a strut compressor if you get shocks, not a shock compressor. Do your homework because you really don't want to get underneath there with all that taken out and have the wrong part, or wrong tool, and if your struts don't come with bushings you better order some, because you don't know if your bushings are gone, most likely they will be. Good luck and I'll report back anymore knowledge I come across. Good day.
Last edited by Roob0481; 03-02-2016 at 10:34 PM.
Reason: Wrong year model under quote
1. Is there a hydraulic pump and distribution block present under the hood?
2. If it was converted the rear strut will have a coil spring seat on it. If it was a factory non-SLS car the spring will seat in the lower control arm - that hands down will be the easiest way to tell at a glance.
3. The front coil spring requires a special compressor; you may be able to find a used Jaguar one or make one yourself. I have made two using hardened all-thread modeled after the Jag unit. Pretty nerve wracking the first time!
4. I've used KYB and Monroe; Monroe units worked great and were priced really well.
5. Most people just replace the rears to retrofit the SLS system, why do you think the front need replacing?
If it is NOT an SLS car, great. If it IS an SLS car, you can go for the retrofit kit, OR replace the rear control arms, springs, and shocks from a non-SLS car (the way to go if you can get the parts).
Last edited by ixfn; 03-02-2016 at 11:07 PM.
Reason: Small typo.
1. Is there a hydraulic pump and distribution block present under the hood?
2. If it was converted the rear strut will have a coil spring seat on it. If it was a factory non-SLS car the spring will seat in the lower control arm - that hands down will be the easiest way to tell at a glance.
3. The front coil spring requires a special compressor; you may be able to find a used Jaguar one or make one yourself. I have made two using hardened all-thread modeled after the Jag unit. Pretty nerve wracking the first time!
4. I've used KYB and Monroe; Monroe units worked great and were priced really well.
5. Most people just replace the rears to retrofit the SLS system, why do you think the front need replacing?
If it is NOT an SLS car, great. If it IS an SLS car, you can go for the retrofit kit, OR replace the rear control arms, springs, and shocks from a non-SLS car (the way to go if you can get the parts).
Wait what does the distribution block look like? I'm just noticing something on my car and I'm thinking the previous owner wasn't forthcoming with some details. I have a Haynes manual and looking for other signs.
Ok this is the most clean and cut I've ever seen, now I'm quoting Jagbits website for when you click on the conversion kit,
"SHOCK CONVERSION KIT, REAR, WITH SPRINGS, FITS 1988-1994 XJ6 AND 1994 XJ12 UP TO VIN 696459."
"This kit converts your self-leveling rear suspension to standard shocks and springs. This kit comes with springs, shocks, bushings, an adaptor for the shock bolt and instructions. The standard shocks upper bolt is smaller in diameter than theSLS shock bolt and the adapter takes up the extra space. "
If this is correct then I just recently bought and installed the wrong mothafreaking rear struts for my car!!!! I hate learning lessons the hard way!!!! But glad I learned something.
Last edited by Roob0481; 03-03-2016 at 02:24 PM.
Reason: change highlight color and highlight more details
It will be on the passenger side just forward of the shock with a couple tubes that look like brake lines connected to it.
I always felt that my vehicle had been in a wreck before. Ok I'm fixing to pull it up shortly, I'm starting to think it won't be there, reading your posts earlier got me all suspicious and paranoid. So I started poking around in the engine bay and noticed a vin number I never noticed before, the one on the passenger side. I also noticed that it's different from the rest. I can almost smell the shadiness fuming. Thank you btw for spreading some knowledge.
Last edited by Roob0481; 03-03-2016 at 03:35 PM.
Reason: correct spelling
Make sure the title matches the VIN on the dash at least. If you see different VIN's on the body panels they must be from a donor car (likely collision repair).
Several questions related to replacing the shocks/struts on my 1994 XJ6 VDP. VIN = SAJKIX1743RC691038 MFG 9/93.
1. Would this have been self-leveling?
2. How do I tell if it was converted?
3. I'm fairly goood under the car and can get a strut compressor. Is this something I can do alone. Where can I find instructions?
4. What are the best value front and rear shocks for this? I'm kinda fond of Monroe, but I'm open to advice. If possible, can you give me the part numbers and/or suggest where to buy?
5. Should I replace the rear springs while I'm at it? Any other parts I should look for before starting the job (or ask for if having it done) - e.g., bushings, etc.?
Hi pablackcat,
The Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS) system, if equipped, only affects the rear shocks. In the diagram below, the shock on the left, Part 9, was used in the conventional suspensions (which your car probably has). The shock on the right, Part 18, is the one used in the SLS. If your car is a late '94, there may be
If the last 6 digits of your VIN are 696460 or higher, this diagram applies:
You can definitely change the shocks yourself. Replacing the front shocks does not require a spring compressor. Be sure the shocks you purchase come with the correct yellow foam top bushings and a new top nut. Replacing the shocks is similar to the process below, except you also have to remove the lower shock bolt to remove and replace the shock:
Replacing the rear shocks does require a spring compressor, and you will probably also need to purchase some of the bushings separately. In the diagram above, Part 5 is the large foam rubber spring isolator or "donut" bushing, and Part 14 is the hard rubber "top hat" bushing. Neither will come with your shocks. The cylindrical bushings, Parts 13 & 15, will probably come with your shocks but you'll have to confirm.
At the links below are photos showing how the conventional rear shocks and bushings are replaced:
The original shocks on your car were made by either Boge or Bilstein. The Boges are a little softer and smoother, the Bilsteins are a little stiffer and harsher.
Boge is now owned by ZF. When I replaced the rear shocks on our '93 I found a good deal on a pair by Sachs, which is another top German company owned by ZF. The Sachs have performed just like the Boges.
Some members have had good success with Monroe, KYB and other brands, so shop around and read all the reviews you can find on this forum.
P.S. Even if your car has the conventional rear suspension, it will still have a hydraulic valve block similar to the one in the photo posted by Benny, because the brake power assist is supplied by fluid pressurized by an electric pump and stored in a hydraulic accumulator sphere.
P.S.S. The diagram above is from jaguarclassicparts.com, the parts service of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. It's a great place to find exploded diagrams and to look up part numbers.
P.S. Even if your car has the conventional rear suspension, it will still have a hydraulic valve block similar to the one in the photo posted by Benny, because the brake power assist is supplied by fluid pressurized by an electric pump and stored in a hydraulic accumulator sphere.
Those systems are completely independent. The SLS system has pressure supplied by a hydraulic pump on the front of the engine and shares fluid with the power steering reservoir that connect to that block pictured - and does not exist on a non SLS car. The electric motor and accumulator are isolated and specific to the braking system.
Last edited by Don B; 03-03-2016 at 11:14 PM.
Reason: Rephrased.
You're right, the systems are separate, but the valve block and motor for the brake system looks a lot like the SLS valve block photo you posted, and I didn't want pablackcat to see his brake system and think that meant his car has SLS. Thanks for posting the diagram so pablackcat knows where to look. I should have been more clear and said that non-SLS cars have a valve block that looks like th SLS valve block but is actually part of the brake system. For the uninitiated it could be easy to mistake one for the other. The brake valve block is on the firewall/bulkhead passenger side:
The Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS) system, if equipped, only affects the rear shocks. In the diagram below, the shock on the left, Part 9, was used in the conventional suspensions (which your car probably has). The shock on the right, Part 18, is the one used in the SLS. If your car is a late '94, there may be
If the last 6 digits of your VIN are 696460 or higher, this diagram applies:
You can definitely change the shocks yourself. Replacing the front shocks does not require a spring compressor. Be sure the shocks you purchase come with the correct yellow foam top bushings and a new top nut. Replacing the shocks is similar to the process below, except you also have to remove the lower shock bolt to remove and replace the shock:
Replacing the rear shocks does require a spring compressor, and you will probably also need to purchase some of the bushings separately. In the diagram above, Part 5 is the large foam rubber spring isolator or "donut" bushing, and Part 14 is the hard rubber "top hat" bushing. Neither will come with your shocks. The cylindrical bushings, Parts 13 & 15, will probably come with your shocks but you'll have to confirm.
At the links below are photos showing how the conventional rear shocks and bushings are replaced:
The original shocks on your car were made by either Boge or Bilstein. The Boges are a little softer and smoother, the Bilsteins are a little stiffer and harsher.
Boge is now owned by ZF. When I replaced the rear shocks on our '93 I found a good deal on a pair by Sachs, which is another top German company owned by ZF. The Sachs have performed just like the Boges.
Some members have had good success with Monroe, KYB and other brands, so shop around and read all the reviews you can find on this forum.
P.S. Even if your car has the conventional rear suspension, it will still have a hydraulic valve block similar to the one in the photo posted by Benny, because the brake power assist is supplied by fluid pressurized by an electric pump and stored in a hydraulic accumulator sphere.
P.S.S. The diagram above is from jaguarclassicparts.com, the parts service of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. It's a great place to find exploded diagrams and to look up part numbers.
Cheers,
Don
Ok Don could you confirm these parts for me? I want to make sure I'm correlating the parts with the diagram correctly. The brighter yellow part which is GUIDE BUSHING UPPER FOR REAR SHOCK Part #: CBC2933-X on Jagbits, is this #11 on the diagram posted earlier for rear suspension? Thank you sir.
Also be aware that the stamped steel lower wishbones were discontinued and the later ones issued as replacement.
If any lower was damaged and needed replacement then the whole kit was supposed to be installed. Somewhere in 2001 Jaguar issued the change. A used one could be installed at a body shop or other repair facility but the Dealer used only the repair kit as shown in the TSB.
The later XJ40 had adjustable 'toe' lower wishbones as did the X300/308 cars.
Ok Don could you confirm these parts for me? I want to make sure I'm correlating the parts with the diagram correctly. The brighter yellow part which is GUIDE BUSHING UPPER FOR REAR SHOCK Part #: CBC2933-X on Jagbits, is this #11 on the diagram posted earlier for rear suspension? Thank you sir.
Hi Roob0481,
I assume the last 6 digits of your VIN are 696460 or higher since you're looking at the diagram where the upper guide bushing is Part 11. According to jaguarclassicparts.com, CBC2933 is the correct part number. The -X added by Jagbits probably indicates an OEM or aftermarket part rather than one sourced through Jaguar, but that's fine and will save you some money.
You can easily look up part numbers at jaguarclassicparts.com.
I assume the last 6 digits of your VIN are 696460 or higher since you're looking at the diagram where the upper guide bushing is Part 11. According to jaguarclassicparts.com, CBC2933 is the correct part number. The -X added by Jagbits probably indicates an OEM or aftermarket part rather than one sourced through Jaguar, but that's fine and will save you some money.
You can easily look up part numbers at jaguarclassicparts.com.
Cheers,
Don
Thank you sir for the help and reference. I actually used that site to label the print out of the diagram, I wanted to confirm with a vet that I'm understanding what's what. However, my last 5 on my vin is 695801, now it has been converted so it doesn't utilize the SLS. However, just looking at my past post I realized I was looking at the wrong diagram when asking my initial question, same part, wrong diagram. Sorry I meant 14 on the first diagram that's for my vin. This is why I've had to order parts 3 different times, lack of attention to detail and not doing enough homework. Thank you sir for your time and guidance. Good day.
I just double-checked and that "top hat" guide bush is the same for your car too, part CBC2933.
Don't be too hard on yourself - even the guys who work the parts counters at Jaguar dealerships get confused and order the wrong parts. The Jaguar documentation is mostly good, but in some cases it is extremely vague, so we amateurs are bound to make mistakes from time to time.
11-08-2009 | 06:59 PM
1994 VDP Shocks/Springs
