Try RockAuto. I believe they ship internationally and they will have a very competitive price as a bonus.

 

So, are both parts that appear on screen the same? If so, I'd order two of the $10 part, right?

 

The part numbers may be VIN releated, I'm sure someone how knows will be along soon.

 

Hmm... You know, I've never been too fond of online shopping. I like the fact that I can be studying while I'm doing it, but I never feel to sure of it. I know I can't trust online outlets.

 

So nobody knows if both parts are the same? If they vary by VIN? I think tanngo said that the bushings are the same front and rear, but I'm hesitating.

I really don't trust online shopping. I tend to think I might end up ordering the wrong part because of a small detail. When I ordered the tensioners and the gaskets I felt the same way. I spent a week before I pressed the check out button.

Edit: Nevermind, tanngo cleared my question.

This is funny. The shipping costs more than the part itself!

 

The lower control "arm" is actually two pieces. The reason the rockauto catalog is showing two numbers is that there is a front and rear bushing. See bottom line to the left of each listing.

On the X308, the factory eventually substituted the rear bushing for the front position as well since it is firmer. There was a TSB for this. The Xk8 may be the same.

 

Try their 1-800 number, they actually answer quite quickly and are very helpful.

 

So wait, I have to buy four of these bushings? Two for each side?

They answered, and informed me that they don't ship to here. So it seems like RockAuto is the answer.

 

I ordered 2 front lower control arm bushings from RockAuto. Now I have to wait until they arrive. Now, I know there's one bushing that I gotta change, the one that is adjacent to the oil filter and I'll change the other one that is its mirror image on the other side. I'll have the car realigned afterwards.

If there are any more bushings/suspension components to change then I'm in for trouble. I hope that's all that's immediately necessary. I'm guessing I'll slowly assemble the rest of the wear and tear parts that comprise the suspension. Maybe by the end of the year or the beginning of next year I'll be able to have it all swapped and handling like a new car. But the first thing to deal with, budget allowing, is the stuff that has already died.

 

It's a good feeling to get to the everything works stage. Then the effort is more towards maintenance than repair. I had a XKE while in college and had to do all the work myself in order to afford it. I would beg for discounts on parts,and pester mechanics for pointers. Hopefully we'll be successful keeping our XK8s going.

 

Wow, sounds like I'm currently living what you did with your XKE. Did lots of things go bad on the e-type? I've been fortunate enough to never have the XK8 leave me stranded on the side of the road. It's gone from wouldn't dare drive to the store to being able to take a trip around the island without fear of anything breaking.

 

E-type had a lot of issues; it just didn't tell you about it on a screen and then go into restricted performance mode. You felt the restricted performance with your right foot. I did take it everywhere because things wore out or broke slowly, not leaving me stranded (until the motor let go at 115mph+). It's funny, I don't have the same confidence level in the XK8 although it's driven daily and is in relatively good shape. Long trips are in the BMW. I think part of that is having to listen to my co-pilot's gentle reminders that I should not be owning another Jaguar if we have to sit stranded at the side of the road.

 

Haha. The way you guys make it sound, I should never get married!

 

You have a Jaguar. You are already married.

 

I should've specified, a threesome seems like too much trouble in this scenario. I'll keep my monogamous marriage.

 

The bushings arrived on Friday, I had them installed today. I also had to buy the stabilizer bar (sway bar) bushings.

The guy didn't charge me by the hour. It cost me $110 in labor and about $50 in bushings for a total of $160. Plus I had the car realigned.

The result is a success! I no longer hear a clunk. The car also handles somewhat better. I am so happy to have a quiet ride now. The guy did say that I should be looking into replacing the shocks and the shock mounts later and my brake pads look like they'll need to be swapped soon as well.

My current list of items is:
front shocks
shock mounts
serpentine belt
rear window regulator
windshield gasket
paint job

Anything else to be done is a mod. I've come a long way with this car, specially considering I've been putting it in shape with virtually no money. I'm impressed with myself.

 

There's always something next......well done on the bushings! Brakes are a piece of cake so no worries, just go with a reduced dust type (I like Akebono, but others will have their opinion). I paid for a complete rebuild of the front suspension with parts I supplied and paid around $900. labor. Actually glad I did because one upper suspension bolt was frozen and had to be cut off. Sounds like you did well. Enjoy and don't get caught speeding!

 

You came out pretty sweet for $160. Congrats and I'm glad it took care of the clunk.

The serpentine belt is an easy DIY, so you might put that higher on your list.

 

Priceless!

 

Yes! It was really a bargain, and one well worth it!

Today I had the first long drive (a 2 hour trip) and I'm surprised really. I don't recall her ever smoothing out the bumps in the pavement or hugging the corners as well as she does now. I'm excited to see what she feels like with new shocks and mounts.

mike, reduced dust brakes, I would really love that. It would make my life easier when washing the car. Does the reduced dust result in longer braking distances?

#4 I think I might do the serpentine belt this week.

I'm so in love with my wife right now.