I have very little experience with Jags, mostly with BMWs and Toyota’s. I’m trying to clear up all the suspensions issues with this car for my mother in law. It appears this vehicle has a different suspension design then earlier models based on YouTube videos and write-ups. Even the Jaguar electronic manual from this forum wasn’t very helpful.

There’s not enough clearance to pull the strut out even have disconnected everything except for the lower control arm which I can’t break loose. Is there a trick to get the strut out so I can pull the last control arm bolt?

I thought about lowering the subframe but would like to see if there are other options.

 

Take the strut out Remove the upper nuts then the sway bar link then the lower strut bolt. Lever down on the lower arm to release the strut and all is clear. Strut install is easier with a helper to align the upper studs

 

It won’t damage the lower control arm bushing?

 

no. It is made to pivot. You only have to move it about one half inch down to slide the lower strut yoke outward and then the strut will free up at the top studs. Be ready as the strut is top heavy and will fall towards you. It is a tight fight coming out the wheel well so keep aware of the studs not scratching the painted fender. I used a crowbar for leveraging the lower arm down. You will see the spot when you take a look

 

I will be replacing both front upper A arms on my 2005 STR this spring as the ball joint rubber boots are shot. The previous owner had replaced all 4 Cats shocks but he did not replace the upper shock mounts which was a mistake considering the labor involved. I will be replacing the mounts this spring and am looking at the KYB brand. You may want to consider doing this also as the mount rubber insert does deteriorate with age and can become noisy.

 

I've redone my front and back. Shop smart for your arms. I bought all mine with ball joints installed. The most difficult bolt is the upper arm back bolt passenger side because of all the crap engineering on top of it. The rest is pretty easy and of you are going to this much trouble, do all of it. You'll need spring compressors, jack stands, and floor jacks to make it work plus tools. Here's some photos. PS: The shock/spring comes out before the bolts on the upper arm.

 

I was able to tackle the drivers side this weekend, working on the passenger side. How did you gain access to the upper control arm bolt closest to the firewall?

What year did they change the suspension design? My 06 looks very different

 

MY 2003 (or 2002.5 in GB/EU) with the first "facelift" on the suspension revisions.

 

I have an 06. The passenger side has to be done with 2 box end wrenchs for the upper pivot bolts. There is just enough room. Again a helper is nice here to hold a wrench after the strut is removed

 

just force the main arm down, pull on the strut and it will fall out

 

Yes I used a 6' pry bar on the lower arm. It's pretty stiff and hard to move.
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Hey davidladewig. did you get those parts on-line or from a dealer? I'm doing the same now. But can only find the front tops with ball joints already installed. Got any links?? Cheers.

 

I got all of them online. Some Amazon, Some ebay, some amparts, Mac auto parts, Jagbits, some parts you can mail order from jag dealers but they don't have that many parts left. On ebay, I only buy new stuff. Just search and you will find them and save a ton of money.

 

I have good luck with rockauto and moog suspension parts. Also fcpeuro

 

I was able to remove the left strut the "easy way". I did this only to see if I could, and to make it easier to get the fulcrum bolt out since I was changing those bushings too. For some reason I couldn't get the right strut out the easy way (with inner fender liner removed and brake caliper off). But I was able to get them both out eventually. I have traditional spring compressors, but had problems with them and didn't want to risk life and limb, so after reading some advice here, I went out to Autozone and borrowed the large vise type compressor and it worked well. I didn't use my impact gun, as I felt better using a large bar and doing it slowly. The loaner was free after they refund your deposit. Can't beat that.

Sorry guys, somehow I posted in the wrong forum. I swear I was in the X100 forum in the middle of a front strut thread.