Here’s the issue: original owner lowered my 1997 XK8 conv, in 2017, creating issues with the plastic under bumper valance tray/chin spoiler(I’ve seen it called different things) which is supposed to protect the under part of bumper. Needless to say, speed bumps and parking curbs have torn that thing up. Bob Roy says not to bother replacing it as it would happen again…and I don’t like the thought of throwing money away.
Question is… anyone know ballpark figure for raising car (struts/spring assembly??) to more original height? Would it be worth it? What potential problems without the valance tray/chin spoiler , since I will probably just remove it….I hear it drag on speed bumps no matter how careful I am..????

Thanks

 

My car when I first got it was to low. My springs were OK but the tires on my car were to low profile and the upper shock mounts were gone. Correct tire size and new shock mounts resulted in normal ride height. The car at normal ride height is still pretty low to the ground. If it is the springs I would try Lesjofors at arount 150 to 200 for a front set.

 

Hello, David…thanks ! What is it with those guys lowering the car? Like you said, it’s already low. Don’t think it’s the tires , Pirellis and not low profile. I’ll be asking my mechanic this morning about replacing the springs. Really really wish I could work on this car, the big majority of you guys save a LOT of money. Trying to forestall issues by taking care of the car. But holy gee whiz!

 

if the previous owner lowered it - it is most likely they just installed a set of lowering springs (which is all I did to mine) followed by an alignment. As long as the upper shock mounts and shocks them selves are ok. Here are a few forum sponsors and vendors that can help you get new springs

https://www.welshent.com/FitmentSear...=13097%2f13098

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...ds=%5B14173%5D

https://www.xk8-parts.com/2016/10/ja...-gallery-page/

 

Depending upon the height and shape of the speed bump, driving very slowly over it at a 45-degree angle may allow you to clear it without scraping. That works on the relatively few speed bumps we must deal with around here (granted, my wife's 2006 XK8 Victory Edition has NOT been lowered, nor would I ever do so)....

 

I have that problem too, although my car has never been lowered. Around here there are big dips coming out of parking lots onto the street, as well as speed bumps. There has to be good drainage because it's basically a swamp. I've gotten to know the bad spots, so I immediately slow to a crawl and I sort of wallow over them. Replacing all four springs is not going to be cheap. I wonder if they still make those rubber spring spacers that you stick between the coils ? Probably not a good idea anyway. But maybe some sort of spacer could be used with the shock mounts.

 

This situation sounds very familiar. My ’98 was not “lowered” but the front springs were tired and the car was riding about 2.6 inches below specs. Because of the low front end, the cross member the valance is attached to, and the oil pan as well would drag going over valley gutters, speed bumps, etc. The front of the oil pan actually developed a small oil leak from scraping on the pavement, which then required replacing after fixing the height issue.

On mine, the upper shock mounts were shot as were the springs themselves. While I was at it, I installed a set of Bilstien struts. Note that the bushes were all okay. I bought a set of “new” used springs from Jim Shaub at Shop Soughtout and a pair of upper strut mounts from Welsh, then the struts/gators from Rock Auto. The total parts cost was about $500.00. It took a weekend to change the front, a number of the bolts were very uncooperative. After changing these parts, it brought the ride height (center of wheel to the top of the wheel arch) to spec, following a few miles for it all to settle.

 

The first question is what is the normal height? ie the distance from the wheel centre to the edge of the wheel arch.
Anybody tell us ?

 

For the 4.2 cars, that normal distance is right at 15.5 inches. Not sure if that applies to the 4.0 cars as well....

 

Here are the specs from the workshop manual -

 

Hi,

I recently ordered all the major front suspension parts (that wear) for my 2001 XK8 Convertible. I also have a 1998 XK8 Convertible. I believe these part numbers apply to both. The web address is visible in the attachments. Prices are current.

Attached are screen shots of the order. Hope it helps.

Side note: I was recently in the Concord area doing some engineering work for the US Gov. The transmission totally died. Ended up taking it to a shop called Bacchus British Service Inc. 6310 Houston PL Dublin, CA. I paid him $3800 + tax to rebuild it. It appairs he put in a used one. Already having issues (first gear (A Drum and or Pressure Valve).

 

Wow! So much information here! Even specs. Totally appreciated. It all goes into my binder…
What was interesting is that I have quite a lot of the maintenance/service records from original owner. One service invoice did not mention specifically the lowering itself, just cost of front strut assembly, AND alignment(mentioned by a forum member).
Before I looked at the old invoices for specifics,
I had the car into mechanic yesterday to see about the more pronounced “scraping”, thinking undertray guard, or something, was really loose. After he checked it out, said there wasn’t any such thing . under there, at all. I am extremely cautious about speed bumps and driveways…and will drive up and down parking lot aisles to avoid them.
Coming up on 60,000 mi service and budget can’t take a hit that is not priority….but…I am a preventative-type…
Any of you hit Roseville area, I’ll make a nice nosh.

 

Just checked mine at 112K and 1997 and its 15.5 rear and 15 front about 3/4 inch down all round..dont think I will worry.

 

Ouch. Sorry to hear the outcome was so bad. I've talked to the owner of Bacchus several times. Reasonable quotes and knows the cars. I can't figure out why any reputable shop would take a chance on a used 5 speed or having to replace it. He didn't make it clear it was used? If the order was written as a rebuild, there should be a warranty. Recently got a quote for 1,500 on a used 06 trans (68k miles). If the 5 speed is similarly priced, that's a lot for labor. However, I'm no expert on time needed to do the swap.

 

My mechanic looked at the schematic that Jaguar sent him, talked to their guy, and he says there’s slight scuffing under that naughty lowered front bumper, but it’s all there, intact. So, ultimately, it’s the whole “lowered” thing, and I’ll simply have to sneak up on speed bumps and parking curbs.
in any case, you forum guys have given me information that I can have for future reference. As always, you people are awesome….

 

My 2003 XKR convertible with 37,000 miles is 3 1/2 inches low in front and 2 inches low in the back, is this a common problem. With 20" BBS they rub inner fender often on bumps straight on. How can I determine if I need springs or bushings or both, same with electronic shocks is there a spec or test? I will consider on upgrading to stiffer springs and/or bushings if needed.