XJ6 1978 S2 ride heigh problem
#1
XJ6 1978 S2 ride heigh problem
Hi I’ve rebuilt the suspensions on the car, new springs, shocks, rubbers etc front and back
With the axles off the car.
Now that they are back on the ride height is way out, the front is over 2” higher than it should be but I can’t see what I have done wrong?
hopefully the pictures show the problem and someone can tell me what I’ve done wrong.
thanks
Graham
#2
Jaguar used packers under the front springs to "adjust" the ride height.
Messy, hell yes, and time consuming.
Add to that equation, that "new" springs are usually bit exactly the same as the OE of the 1970's.
ALL the blah, blah, blah about them made to OE spec etc is not always fact.
I have nothing but issues with "new" springs over the years, and usually ended up at a wreckers (breakers) and hunted down a pair from another car, and fitted, and the whole thing simply fell into spec.
We dont have much issues with springs down here, but clearly, from what I have read over the years, you guys do, salt etc I suppose?
If you have fitted the packers, some need to come out, and I have long forgotten the formula that applies to packer thickness versus ride height variation.
Messy, hell yes, and time consuming.
Add to that equation, that "new" springs are usually bit exactly the same as the OE of the 1970's.
ALL the blah, blah, blah about them made to OE spec etc is not always fact.
I have nothing but issues with "new" springs over the years, and usually ended up at a wreckers (breakers) and hunted down a pair from another car, and fitted, and the whole thing simply fell into spec.
We dont have much issues with springs down here, but clearly, from what I have read over the years, you guys do, salt etc I suppose?
If you have fitted the packers, some need to come out, and I have long forgotten the formula that applies to packer thickness versus ride height variation.
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Doug (06-16-2018)
#3
Some years ago my series 1 was really sagged at the front, so much so that the car only looked right with both tanks full and another 100lbs in the boot. So I bought some springs from a suspension place that were supposed to restore to the correct height. They also had on offer stiffer springs that would increase height 25mm. Put the standard springs in and ride height was 585mm at the lights. Took them off, returned them for the stiffer springs. Car rides at 622mm (R) and 626mm (L), still a bit high but better than scraping on the kerbs. So I assume your springs are way too stiff.
Grant - can you just confirm that adding a shim (they are 3mm plastic) will INCREASE the ride height (I think it is 8mm) and vice versa?
Grant - can you just confirm that adding a shim (they are 3mm plastic) will INCREASE the ride height (I think it is 8mm) and vice versa?
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Doug (06-16-2018)
#5
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Over the years I've determined that getting correct ride height with new springs is maybe a 50-50 proposition at best.
I have nothing but issues with "new" springs over the years, and usually ended up at a wreckers (breakers) and hunted down a pair from another car, and fitted, and the whole thing simply fell into spec.
I did the same on my latest project
If you have fitted the packers, some need to come out, and I have long forgotten the formula that applies to packer thickness versus ride height variation.
I'm not sure spacers/packers will account for a full 2" height problem. They're designed for 'trim'/adjustment, not compensating for gross deviations.
Cheers
DD
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Grant Francis (06-16-2018)
#6
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Yeah, sometimes they do settle a bit.
I also wonder if the springs are fully seated at both ends....although the way the seats are designed they really should sort of guide themselves properly home.
Cheers
DD
#7
I agree Doug, and not a 5 minute task to R & R springs as a trial and error thing.
That spring makers "one size fits most" is getting way too common.
Probably V12 springs at a pinch.
Doug has answered the formula and its sound sort of familiar, its been a very long time since I messed with them.
That spring makers "one size fits most" is getting way too common.
Probably V12 springs at a pinch.
Doug has answered the formula and its sound sort of familiar, its been a very long time since I messed with them.
Last edited by Grant Francis; 06-16-2018 at 08:16 PM.
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#8
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Yeah, I agree.
When there's a problem the complaint always seems to be "too high" rather than "too low". So I'd guess that the spring makers, in their one-size-fits-most approach, are making the springs taller and stiffer to accommodate V12s.
Cheers
DD
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Grant Francis (06-16-2018)
#9
Wrong springs or badly made ones ! I had to replace a set way back in the early 90s because they have a tendency to break about an inch off the bottom end and this is a failure on our UK roadworthiness test (MOT Test). My car did ride a bit higher afterwards, but eventually settled down a bit,but a 2" difference is obviously wrong, way out wrong.
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Grant Francis (06-16-2018)
#10
Ride height
thanks guys, it’s good to know I haven’t done anything obviously stupid, I put the shims under the new springs exactly as they came out so the set up was the same but I guess I could have allowed for the new springs being stiffer, either way 1/8 th inch or so wouldn’t make that much difference.
going to see if it passes an MOT soon for the first time since 2004 and then onto stripping the interior out and getting it ready for a respray.
going to see if it passes an MOT soon for the first time since 2004 and then onto stripping the interior out and getting it ready for a respray.
#12
Suspension
Hi I’ve rebuilt the suspensions on the car, new springs, shocks, rubbers etc front and back
With the axles off the car.
Now that they are back on the ride height is way out, the front is over 2” higher than it should be but I can’t see what I have done wrong?
hopefully the pictures show the problem and someone can tell me what I’ve done wrong.
thanks
Graham
Measured mine today, never did any changes to my car since 78.
The front is 27 3/4, the rear is 24 1/2 .
I think my rear could use a boost, I have a set for the rear to be put in.
Walter
#13
Ride height
Thanks Walter, I take it the 27 3/4 inches was the wing measurement not the light measurement which would be about where I need to get too.
Roger what did you remove to lower you S1 by 2” I have 1 shim top and bottom from memory which is the only adjustment I can see.
The springs came from either British Parts or Barratts so I‘ll dig out the receipt and follow up with them.
I took it out yesterday for it’s first run and it does fee very stiff.
Graham
Roger what did you remove to lower you S1 by 2” I have 1 shim top and bottom from memory which is the only adjustment I can see.
The springs came from either British Parts or Barratts so I‘ll dig out the receipt and follow up with them.
I took it out yesterday for it’s first run and it does fee very stiff.
Graham
#14
#15
Gentlemen, I have been following your discussion with great interest as my 1979 S3 sits too high. But a more basic question is what is the correct height and how do you measure it? I have seen comments about measuring to the center of the headlights but the bumper sticks out so far the measuring tape is a long way from the headlight. Is there a definitive target measurement to the top of the front wing (fender) wheel arch? Are S1, S2, and S3 all the same? Sorry to hold up your discussion with such a basic question but I think a lot of us are looking for help on this. Thanks
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#19
I had no packing rings in my S1, did not want to try replacing the springs.. too many others had higher than normal results by changing them out.. King springs seem to be made out of spec?
So I added (tried 1/4" spacers first) 1/2 steel spacers and used 1/2 longer Grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts. There are two sizes, longer ones in the front that hold the shock mounts and the shorter ones on the sides. I just loosened the front ones and the ones on one side, then removed a side one to gain the needed room for the spacer.. replaced that bolt and then did the rest on that side.. repeated for the other side.
One photo shows the half inch spacers installed. the other the results with only 1/4 inch spacers. Car is now at correct height and I then adjusted the headlights to aim properly!!!
So I added (tried 1/4" spacers first) 1/2 steel spacers and used 1/2 longer Grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts. There are two sizes, longer ones in the front that hold the shock mounts and the shorter ones on the sides. I just loosened the front ones and the ones on one side, then removed a side one to gain the needed room for the spacer.. replaced that bolt and then did the rest on that side.. repeated for the other side.
One photo shows the half inch spacers installed. the other the results with only 1/4 inch spacers. Car is now at correct height and I then adjusted the headlights to aim properly!!!
#20
I had no packing rings in my S1, did not want to try replacing the springs.. too many others had higher than normal results by changing them out.. King springs seem to be made out of spec?
So I added (tried 1/4" spacers first) 1/2 steel spacers and used 1/2 longer Grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts. There are two sizes, longer ones in the front that hold the shock mounts and the shorter ones on the sides. I just loosened the front ones and the ones on one side, then removed a side one to gain the needed room for the spacer.. replaced that bolt and then did the rest on that side.. repeated for the other side.
One photo shows the half inch spacers installed. the other the results with only 1/4 inch spacers. Car is now at correct height and I then adjusted the headlights to aim properly!!!
So I added (tried 1/4" spacers first) 1/2 steel spacers and used 1/2 longer Grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts. There are two sizes, longer ones in the front that hold the shock mounts and the shorter ones on the sides. I just loosened the front ones and the ones on one side, then removed a side one to gain the needed room for the spacer.. replaced that bolt and then did the rest on that side.. repeated for the other side.
One photo shows the half inch spacers installed. the other the results with only 1/4 inch spacers. Car is now at correct height and I then adjusted the headlights to aim properly!!!
Dave