Anyone have advice on rear strut replacement? My rear lower control arms are shot as are my front upper control arms and outer tierod ends. Figure while I'm at it, I'll replace the rear struts. Would you replace the strut assembly or just the shocks? Do the XKR struts fit an XK? Are there others interchangeable like Lincoln? Thanks!

 

I'm going to suggest you go with Lemforder or Eurospare lower arms based on what I put myself through. They are the only JLR approved arms. See this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-264009/page2/

Struts are interchangeable between 07-09 model years. XK are softer (Black in color) XKR are a firmer ride. Depending on miles, you may want to replace springs. I'm @ 80k-ish miles and didn't replace the springs. I replaced the isolators as well.
2010 onward vehicles have a different type of CATS system and do not interchange.

The shocks are Bilstein B4's and unless you go with aftermarket coil overs, the only other option is the CATS free option of Bilstein (much cheaper and eliminates CATS). You'll have to decide whether to stick with CATS or not. Basically, CATS provides a firm ride at slow speeds and a softer ride at speed. No interchange with Lincoln etc....

 

Thank you for the insight! Will take a look at the thread you provided.

 

Did the rears on my XK base a few months ago, fronts in the spring.

CATS Bilstein rears can still be found. CATS Bilstein fronts are almost impossible to get. I finally got fronts, with a lot of phone calls.

Unless you want to step up to Jags at twice the price (assuming they still have them), it's worthwhile to consider non-CATS units. Bilstein B4's are relatively cheap and can be found for all four. Haven't chased other non CATS units, sorry. No idea what standard damper would be the "right" replacement for the two-stage CATS on the '07-'09. You can program out the CATS units with SDD. No idea what's needed for the 4.2 XKR.

You definitely must replace the mounts and spring pads. Mounts are available, spring pads can be found from China for $10 each, or $80 from Jag. But do them.

 

Sorry this is a delete wrong section

 

Question on the last part here, I'm unclear on whether the front and rear require mounts & spring pads?

 

You indicated you were doing the rear. Yes, take panthera999's advice and replace the pad and the isolators. You can reuse your mount but if you buy off flea bay they come with the top hat.

Here is a pic of the top isolator and mounting bracket (aka top hat). C2D51875 is the part number. It will likely say they are for the front but the front and rear top mounts are the same.

 

Thank you very much. I wasn't sure if both the front and rear required these parts (If I had decided to change out the front...)

 

When you buy the rear shocks (or fronts) as @steve_k_xk advises, plug them into the CATS connectors before installing. It would be a PIA to replace them only to get the CATS error on the dash.

 

Roger that! Thank you.

 

Last week I had the rear struts (Bilstein) upper & lower control arms (Lemfoerder), tie-rod ends (Lemfoerder) - [all from PartsGeek] and rear ABS sensors (Garage Pro, Amazon.com) replaced. Love the ride, no more squeaking and the intermittent ABS warning when it rained, is gone!

Also had the front upper control arms replaced (was clearly the cause of the clunking I thought was coming from the rear). By Fall or Winter I will complete the front end suspension overhaul. The car only has 74K miles but is 16 years old- stuff wears out.

Thanks to all who chimed in to help!

 

I am not sure, if I am correct in this thread:

The standard "ride" is too soft for me. I would like to have the "harder" "S Mode" ride all the time.

Is it posssible, in my 2007 XK, to replace the springs / dampers with e.g. Bilstein, which are the harder variety?

Don´t get me wrong, saving money is not the aim, but why pay for adjustable dampers, if I want only the harder variety?

Please excuse if I am fully off topic, thanks, Hermann

 

your option is for the 07-09 XKR shocks. They are firmer than the base XK. Other choices are something like BC Coilovers