Hi,

I have the problem that the ball joint connected to the wheel rack hits the inner side of the rim. I replaced everything of the front brakes. However, the dust cover of the ball joint was already damaged as it touched the wheel on the passanger side. The driver side was ok. Now, after changing everything both ball joints hit the rims. I read something on this or another forum about shims? Or is it a worn bushing that can cause this problem?

If the problem was not already present before I started working on the brakes I would think that I made a failure. But on one side this problem was already present. The photo's below are before replacing the brakes. Anyone who had the same problem or knows in what direction I have to look? And what about the idea of just adding a 5mm spacer?

 

When was the last time you aligned the wheels at a shop? Perhaps that would fix this? The tie rod end just looks like it needs a few more spins on that threaded rod.

 

Hi John, I just looked at a pic from your other thread. There're not Jaguar wheels, are they? Maybe a little wider than usual. The biggest factory tire/wheel then would have been 235/60VR15 6.5Jx15 ET32 I believe (on a car like yours). Anyway, you may need a thin front spacer if your wheels are wider than 6.5 or have a different offset.

I'm trying to read your tire size from the photo above. Is it 225-55/16? That would give an overall diameter of the tire as 25.7" (653mm) vs factory 26.1" (663mm) so your tires are also a little small (though only by 1.5%).

 

Hi, thanks for replying. I thought this were original Jaguar 'Lattice' 16 inch rims? The tire size is indeed 225/55/ZR16. In the rims the following numbers are stamped: 8Jx16CH X 33MM.
And I also thought the P6000 were the original tire models delivered on the Jaguar XJS. But based on what you say, these rims are too wide and I need a small spacer?

 

John,

The usual 16" lattice fitted on the facelift (post-91) XJS was a 7J wheel, not an 8J. The 8J lattice was fitted on XJ40 saloons. Apparently the 8J lattice was fitted on Sportspack UK XJSs in 1991.

I have read somewhere that the 8J lattice will fit but misses the ball joint by just a whisker if set up correctly. Perhaps you might want to get a front end alignment done first before fitting spacers just in case the track rod ends are badly adjusted and causing the problem.

Also, I would change those P6000 225/55 tyres immediately. Pirelli stopped making those some time ago and your tyres must be very old. They are prone to block hardening and mine literally just fell apart when I changed them many years ago. They are an accident waiting to happen. Please be careful.

Good luck

Paul

 

The problem can not be fixed by alignment. Any change to track happens inboard of tie rod ends.
Wheels either need to be replaced or spacers fitted.

 

That's interesting, Paul. Mine's a Canadian-spec facelift 4.0 with Sportspack built 5/91 and it has the 15" lattice. I'm not disputing what you say, just adding to the endless miscellany associated with these cars.

For interest, here's a photo of an XJ40 Teardrop 7J x 15 x 35 on my XJS. Only 7" and little clearance.

 

What if the tie rod was very worn? That is, the ball-joint was sloppy, allowing the body of the tie rod to contact the wheel?

Cheers
DD

 

Doubt it - wouldn't be that bad without falling out - wrong rim fitted - just coz they look the same doesn't mean they are the same - rim is too wide, as far as I know the 3.6 never had anything bigger than 6.5J x 15" as standard from the factory with an ET between 28 and 32mm depending on year, I don't think the 16" were fitted until the 4.0 appeared - based on the service books I have. 235/60 VR 15 "Sports", 215/70 VR 15 "starfish"

I don't recommend spacers unless you can be sure to get the appropriate number of threads engaged in the wheel nuts.