I had the chance to get this very well kept (in a garage all its life) 1988 XJS V12 Jag. I drove it home (about 3 1/2 hour drive) and it actually got me home safely. I'm currently going through it to cure some minor issues and learn about it. It has two things that need to be resolved:
1. I hate that noisy seatbelt alarm going off when I start the car. Is there an easy way to unplug it or disable the alarm sound only without effecting the automatic seat belt operation, .....a fuse removal, wire to unplug ???
2, The car has a rear end rumble that gets higher in pitch the faster you go. It's totally consistent with speed of the tires. I've pinpointed it to the left rear bearing (someone sitting in the back seat) and a digital temp gauge show after about 15 minutes on the road that the left side bearings run a consistent 8 -10 degrees hotter than the right side does. I have the tools to replace the bearings but am having trouble with the procedure sequence. Specifically, an older manual shows that the whole axle half shaft has to come out with the bearing hub. Is it correct that in 1988 XJS models there is no way to disconnect the half shaft from the bearing carrier hub (via nut or bolt removal)? I haven't got my new manuals yet. Thanks for any help you might shed. ........Mike

 

No pics, it didn't happen.

 

?? I didn't send any pix, just had questions (above).

 

The alarm is under the glovebox. Its a black square box about 2"x2" with holes and you can just unplug it.

 

I think he is saying he doesn't believe you got home in one piece.

I had a bearing issue like you said however mine shattered and locked one wheel up 50 meters from a very long bridge and I skid into the emergency pullout. Please don't risk driving the car it has the same effect as locking one brake at [insert speed] and is NOT safe.

The following week at the shop was an utter gongshow yes the whole assembly has to come out and there is like half a foot of axle spline that slides into another section that has to be pushed out with a tool? I had PTSD from it and don't quite remember but its very important to service this as mine wasn't and a 150 ton hydraulic press couldn't dislodge the two parts.

While your there have a look at the cage mounts and arm bushings to.

 

No, the entire "hub and carrier".......

https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/u...d-carrier-rear

.......can be removed while leaving the axle shaft/half shaft in place.


After undoing the big axle nut you'll probably need an puller to disengage the axle from the hub...but you might get lucky and a few hammer taps on the carrier will do the trick. Don't beat on it with anger, though

Once free of the axle/half shaft the hub assembly will flop downwards, pivoting on the lower fulcrum shaft, #25 in this illustration:

https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/u...-mounting-rear

Removing the fulcrum shaft will allow you to take the entire hub over to your workbench for overhaul. When removing the fulcrum shaft pay close attention to the sequence of all the parts and watch for the tiny bearing shims, #16 in the illustration

Cheers
DD

 

This group is just who I needed to hear from. I can't wait to disconnect that alarm tonight when I get home.
As to the rear hub removal info this is exactly what I needed to know in preparation for the job. I have several hub pullers that I've used in the past on other axles so hopefully things will go smoothly. I've had some scary moments in the past where I had so much force applied to an axle that I was waiting an explosion (had it chained up if it did).

As to the safety of driving it I'm only driving it to work about a mile away. I'm not taking any more chances. I was skeptical of driving it home for so long a distance that first but really didn't have much choice, though being an unknown (to me) car I actually thought of taking my truck with a rented U-Haul trailer to bring it home. Sometimes I think the Lord has to work overtime to keep my worthless butt out of trouble.

Hey guys, thanks for all the help and I'll keep you posted as the challenges of restoration progress unfold. I did a "frame up" restoration on my '65 Healey BJ8 about 20 years ago, have had 5 Land Rovers in the past, and have a weird affection for these old British classics. Driving this Jag is really fun. ..............................thanks, Mike.

 

I am thinking about getting the original XJS four volume set Jaguar service manuals. Looks like they are pretty expensive and are duplicate to my CD version. However, I had a chance to look at an original Volume 3 and that turned me on to trying to fine someone who has an original set (vol 1,2,3,4) that covers the '88 model. Does anyone on here know someone who has this set for sale? I checked ebay but nothing for the XJS there for now. I'm looking for a set just to have the original in my documentation.

 

Have you downloaded the Kirby palm XJS book?
800 odd pages of useful information on the cars.

 

Good for you 51R. Someone who has cut his teeth on a Land Rover and an Austin Healey has served the correct apprenticeship to wrestle with an XJS V12.

Is your car a Marelli ignition version or a Lucas ignition version? This is important information for us. Your build date is around the change date (Lucas is the earlier). If you have a black box, about the size of a cigarette packet, bolted to the cabin end of the B bank inlet manifold (USA Driver's side) then it is a Lucas car.

 

Just wanted to see pics of his Jag.

 

Mine has the Lucas ignition module, so it's a Lucas car. BTW, I hope Lucas has reformed, now that I have another "Prince of Darkness" car, much newer than my others.. Also, in response to Steve M, I downloaded Kelly Palm's book last week and you are right, it is loaded with helpful info. I've been studying all the info I can get on this car.

 

Here are a couple of pix of my New-To-Me '88 XJS. So far it's still in one piece.

 

Pix of the spaghetti bowl. ............Mike.

 

Hi, beautiful looking car and looks very straight. I hope you enjoy. As already said Kirby's book is a must. I also downloaded a 1300 page workshop manual for a very small amount of $s. If you cannot find the website I will try and find. Cheers. LeeP

 

I would really like to know where I can get that downloaded 1300 page service manual. A small fee would be okay with me for that kind of info. If you can find where you got it from, please let me know. ...........thanks, Mike.

 

Nice lookin' Jag

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Mike,


Have a look at my post on the following thread which included some links to good downloads.


https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...member-194230/


I thought these sites were how I got my 1300 page manual but not so sure now so will do some more head scratching.


Cheers,


LeeP

 

Thanks leep for the further info. I bookmarked the Jag doc page and am in the process of checking it out for info pertaining to my car. ......Very interesting. ....... If you find that manual info, please let me know.

Another "general" question pertaining to the '88 XJS: ....is there any usage of Whitworth threads on this car? I have the tools from usage on my other British wonders but am curious about this car. I guess what I have here is a car with mostly ? metric but possibly some SAE threads. .............Mike.

 

Hi Mike,


The link below is from the Jagsdoc website where I think I got my workshop manual from but it, and many of the ones advertised on the website, seem to be for the 6 cylinder engines so check out the detail before you buy.


Jaguar Workshop Manuals


There is also a really good XJS parts / restoration company over here called JustXJS that include XJS hints and tips on their website. Link below in case of interest.


XJS Tips, Tricks and Information - Just XJS


Cheers,


LeeP


ps: I think most of the threads on my car are metric, don't know about earlier cars. LP