Gents

what is the recommended mileage for shock absorber replacement

I have 77K on my 2003 XK8 and previous owner had lots of service receipts none including shock replacement. Is there a way to identify if shocks are original? Mine are a bright green color

I have had the lower bushings replaced and the upper shock tower mounts replaced.
Tires seem to be wearing evenly and ride is fine

 

Shock life can and will vary due to road conditions, driving style, and whether or not they begin to leak. I replaced the shocks in my wife's 2006 XK8 near the 100,000-mile mark as part of the suspension refurbishment Wayne (cjd777) and I performed at that time. Would they have lasted awhile longer? Probably, but I do not regret replacing them. I went with the OEM Bilsteins and remain very happy with them. The car is currently approaching 124,000 miles....

 

The green color indicates that they are the original shocks and at their mileage you should have plenty of wear left in them. Given the lower mounts and top mount replacement you should be fine.

 

How can I get a hold of cjd777?

 

How can I help you Eric?
What is your location, as Jon and I are not too far from each other, making a one day fix possible in most cases.

 

I'm in Wisconsin. Some Facebook groups somebody mentioned that you have better front upper shock mounts. I have a 2002 XK8.

 

I just had new ones installed, I always had no shocks put in as well because why not it's already a part. The mounts are already failing only a week in. URO garbage

 

Wow my talk to text is a bit off, I said I also had new new shocks fitted.

 

A lot of the none oem top mounts seem to fail like this. I would just go with OEM parts for this.

 

While I tend to agree, actual genuine OEM ones are seemingly impossible to come by. I was told some folks on here have come up with ones that are better.

 

The part that really ticks me off, I am having to pay to have it done again

 

JEZZA, do you still have the ones you took off?
What you have is going to collapse in short order.
As for the off center, lets see if we can help it not get much worst. It might help if you loosen the top three nuts and the bottom bolt, shack the shock and tighten it all back up. When installing they should be in a neutral position any twist will put a small amount of strain on the bushings. Doesn't sound like a big deal but over the course of thousands of times a day, yes it is.
That said, what you have on there is the worst I have worked on, even the welding on the inside of the bell housing needs lots of attention to make it smooth.
Give me a PM and I will see if we can fix things.

 

Recent install on my 03 is just as bad. Is the recenter a possible PIY? I'd have to rent spring compressors. My concern is torque needed (it's called arthritis). Wayne, I'd like to buy a set from you but the "shop" discarded the originals.

 

Are the aftermarket OEM grade ones not as good as the original OEM ones?

 

From what I have read on various groups, there really are no OEM aftermarket grade ones, made from third parties. I can tell you the URO ones are absolute garbage and from many comments in groups eurospares are also no good and welsh ones have been bad too, fact that welsh told me they are redesigning theirs and will not be ready for a few months speaks volumes how hard it must be to find a good one. I guess buying actual OEM Genuine Jaguar ones is the only options besides what a couple of folks on here make.

 

That's interesting about Welsh redesign possibly being available in a couple of months. Maybe my just installed URO's will last that long. How much are the OEM's?

 

I installed URO a couple of weeks ago, and after the first week one has already failed, the other is starting to. I found Actual Jag OEM ones for around $225 each. I am in talks with cjd777 for him to make me a set of his own design.

 

I'm looking around for worn sets. Have contacted Jag Heaven (Stockton, CA) to see if they've got any they're willing to sell.

 

I find it interesting on the total re design on the Welsh system.
Hope they read the big thread and gathered some good information. Baxtor and I sure gave it our best effort.
If they ask, I'll send them a set of our best.

 

The email I got from Welsh.


The ones we have in stock at this time are Eurospares. The ones we had made are being redesigned and remade as we speak but it is going to be a few months before we have them in stock to be able to see. So for the time being we only have the Euorspares to hold people over.


Thank You,
Donnie