Anyone know the part number? How much should I expect to pay for them?

My gramps found me a mechanic that will do the work for $40 a bushing. Sounds like a good deal to me. I just need to provide the parts.

 

Which bushings are you meaning? If you do all of them, it can get a little pricey, plus it requires an alignment be done.

I did the front of mine with poly bushes and just bit the bullet and did them all at once rather than piecemeal:
PowerflexUSA - XK8 - XK8R (97+)

If you are going to start into it, check the upper shock mounts too. They aren't cheap, but it might save you paying the same labor again some time later, since most of the work to get them out is the same as the bushes.

 

I'm guessing, just the lower ones for now. I need an alignment anyways.


Here's a picture of the problem, maybe it'll help.

 

Help, this is the bushing that's closest to the oil filter. I'd be chancing that one and the one on the opposite side. I would appreciate the parts number.

What are the advantages of the poly bushings? Is that part in my picture a bushing or is it something else?

 

Poly bushings firm up the handling and last longer than the rubber ones, so it is probably the last set you will need to install.

On the down side some might find the firmness too harsh and in cold weather they have been known to groan a little.

 

I also installed the Powerflex set, and while they eliminated a lot of the steering shimmy and firmed up the ride, they groan all of the time not just in cold weather. Going over any bumps, humps, dips...they just moan and groan. Were I to do it again, I'd probably choose rubber bushings.

 

I wouldn't mind a more firm ride, not having to change them again is a plus, but I could absolutely not live with the moaning and groaning. I do, however live in a tropical island. Is it at all possible that the warmer weather here might decrease the moaning and groaning?

So, according to the picture I posted, which bushing is that? It's right next to the oil filter. I only plan on buying that one for both wheels. My budget currently doesn't allow me to buy the entire set.

 

That looks to be the front lower control arm front bushing.


I don't have any real trouble with groaning even with all of the bushing being powerflex brand. I've only heard it a couple of times, and only when it is near freezing temperatures or lower. There is a good bit of grease on them and the place I take the car for service does lube the bushings when the car is in for service, so that might help.

But if it's a concern, the rubber OEM bushings are not a bad thing, I just prefer the somewhat firmer ride.

 

Thanks ccfulton, that's actually good to hear. I guess I might go for the powerflex part then. I am actually used to firm ride thanks my dad's history with cars. Can I expect the car's handling to go bonkers by having the front lower control arm bushings be the powerflex and the rest be the stock ones?


Also, I got an email from tanngo, our Argentinian friend, asking me to translate the contents of the email on this forum, although, I'm unclear whether he meant it for this thread. Either way, I'm taking a crack at it now.

I'm gonna google that part number he gave me there. I hope it's what I need. What's the price difference between the stock bushings and the power flex?

 

So, if I've got this right, it's $65 plus shipping for the poly bushes.
Jaguar XK8 XK8R Front Lower Wishbone Front Bushing

and, it's about $41 plus shipping for the stock ones from Gaudin. Jaguar Parts - Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com

If I've got the right ones, then I have a real dilemma. I can't choose! I was announced that my scholarship is going to be paying on the 20th of september. So, on the 20th I've got $350 expendable. The poly set would ring me about $131.98 + shipping and about $80 to have both of them installed. That's a total of $211.00... on the other hand, the stock ones from Gaudin would be $82.86 + shipping and $80 more for labor (the mechanic is quoting me $40 a bushing) so that would be $162.86. Without factoring shipping, does a saving of $48.14 a justify going for the less firm, more likely to wear out again part?

This is all assuming I've picked the correct part.

Searching on ebay, I'm seeing much much lower prices, but I'm not sure I'm looking at the correct part, even though I've got the part numbers.

As you can imagine, that's the last problematic mechanical thing to fix on my car. And the clunking sound is driving me nuts! After I'm done with that, I'd look working on the aesthetics, little by little.

 

Changing one bushing to polyurethane vs a new rubber one probably won't make much difference to the feel.

As for the life, it is all relative. The car is 13 years old now and needs a bushing. Will you keep it that long again?

 

That does not look like an OEM bush, more like a poly one

 

ccfulton, I probably might keep the car longer than that. I've completely fallen in love with it. I might, however, eventually trade up for an XKR, but, this car has some sentimental value to me.

Race, what makes you think that's the poly bush? It looks pretty banged up.


Looking at my current financial situation, I think I'm going to buy the OEM part.

 

The shape of the black bit, the rubber ones are more conical in shape in cross section and the poly ones are cylindrical.

 

Do you think it's at all possible that the previous owner changed my bushings to the poly set? If the poly set is supposed to last longer, what caused that one to go bad?

I've always believed the ride on my XK8 was naturally more firm, at least, compared to my dad's VDP.

 

Just a quick question. Is this the correct part? Is it the OEM one?
Jaguar XJ8 XK8 Front Lower Suspension Control Arm Bushing Set of 2 URO New | eBay

 

It is the same shape as the OEM one but is aftermarket.

 

So it's probably made of a lesser material?

 

Have used various Uro parts on mine and have been very satisfied. Quality seems fine and has to be better than the original 13 year old bushes you likely have on now.

 

That's good to hear. I just can't seem to contact them and find out if they will ship to Puerto Rico, which is technically, in the US.