XK8 Rear Camber shims

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XK8 Rear Camber shims

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XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 10:52:47 AM

osg225

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/9/2008
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Hi,
I have lowered my 1997 XK8 using H/R springs and now need to re-adjust the camber as although it looks great the camber is at 3 degrees positive.
Does anyone know where I can get shims for the halfshafts to address this?
Thanks!

Post #: 1

RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 12:52:19 PM

GordoCatCar

Posts: 168
Joined: 12/7/2007
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I found this on a search for rear camber shims.... I do not know if they are the parts you need, but a shim in the rear axleshaft would be the cure for excessive negative camber. And I read earlier these shims were OEM parts. gordo

http://www.jagbits.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=JAP&Category_Code=V8Cars_Diff_5

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

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Post #: 2

RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 1:06:11 PM

JagtechOhio

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Joined: 3/12/2008
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Adding halfshaft shims will increase the positive rear camber even more.

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 1:24:52 PM

GordoCatCar

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How did you get positive camber from using shorter [lowering] springs?

I would think the installation of lowering springs would yield negative camber, in which case the axle shaft, acting as the upper wishbone, would need to be shimmed out.

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 3:51:47 PM

JagtechOhio

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This is another one of those discussions that reaffirms my concerns about modifying springs. There's a guy on Roadfly XJ8 who has been told by his "technicians" that they need to cut his front crossmember to relocate wishbone mounting points.

In all the discussions I read about aftermarket springs, I never see concise information from knowledgeable people. It looks to me as if owners spend the money to lower the car, then scramble around trying to find out how to balance the ride height or bring the camber back into range.

I'm left to assume that the spring manufacturers and vendors didn't do any homework, or they would know exactly what camber and bump steer adjustments would be necessary to compensate for the lower ride height: and what shock package would work best with their springs. Seems like Jaguar at least got it close.

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 8:49:44 PM

GordoCatCar

Posts: 168
Joined: 12/7/2007
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Quite right Andrew, I agree entirely. My major lament is being unable to obtain any type of technical data package for any of the springs. One would think a mfr or distributor could at least provide working spring rates in order for end users to determine relative values among the various aftermarket offerings and OEM rates.

All I know is that someone said Arden is stiffer than Paramount; and that H&Rs are stiffer than the Eibachs. But you can't find Eibachs any more. Where Mina Gallery fits into the mix is anybody's guess. My guess is they are also softer than H&R.

One would have to assume all are stiffer than OEM; but then it appears Jaguar has installed at least four different spring setups for different models in different markets. One each for US vs. Euro; matrixed by Coupe vs. Convert. Whether these are four different springs, or some other mix of same, is a mystery as well. Finally, there remained the elusive mythical rear spacer purported utilzed to raise the backends of US models to meet DOT height standards.

Albeit a quandary of confusions. Too bad this isn't "The Good Old Days" circa 1956... We could just torch the coils, or cut a couple off, and be done with it. Gordo

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/9/2008 9:17:25 PM

JagtechOhio

Posts: 473
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Hey Gordo,

Right after my post, Mike at ET wrote that he can't get camber on the front of his XJR... and he sells the springs. It would probably take lengthened upper front wishbones, and shortened rear lower wishbones, to get the geometry right on any model where such a significant change in the ride height is made. I wonder if the guy with the red coupe jacked up in the back has noticed how much more squirrelly his car is under hard braking.

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/10/2008 7:22:09 AM

osg225

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Joined: 5/9/2008
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Thanks all, particularly Gordo, for the responses.
I mis-posted and correctly, the rear is suffering with NEGATIVE camber, therefore axle shims will cure it.
The H/R springs are somewhat more harsh but the handling and braking are improved.

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/10/2008 10:09:30 AM

GordoCatCar

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Do you have a coupe or convertible?

And dont forgot there is an OEM eccentric fulcrum bolt (front lower rear wishbone on) which is designed to adjust front wheel camber.

< Message edited by GordoCatCar -- 5/10/2008 10:16:41 AM >

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97 XK8 Convertible; White w/Beige; 65K miles

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RE: XK8 Rear Camber shims - 5/10/2008 10:37:58 AM

Max

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Joined: 10/23/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: GordoCatCar

Do you have a coupe or convertible?

And dont forgot there is an OEM eccentric fulcrum bolt (front lower rear wishbone on) which is designed to adjust front wheel camber.

Found out last time I had the front end alligned that the camber couldn't be brought into spec because there were no eccentric fulcrum bolts, and they tell me many vehicles these days don't come with them. Anyway, I called the stealer and they want $60 each for the two of them.

Does anyone know of a source for the bolts that is less expensive?

Thanks.

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2000 XK8 convertible

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Post #: 10