Was wondering i am going to do my rear shocks on my s-type. currently they have the bilstein with adaptive control, but to replace them they are very expensive. The ones without adaptive control are much cheaper. What is really the difference between the 2? and is it worth the money to put on the adaptive control shocks? thanks

 

My 03 STR came with CATS struts but presently wears the Bilstien's intended for the S-Type with Sport suspension. They work fine but you'll find the CATS providing more dampening under aggressive driving. I'd replace the rears with new CATS struts ($350/each).

 

They are a system and if you replace two of the CATS struts with non-CATS struts you should replace all four.
I think you would be better off replacing the 2 CATS struts with CATS struts as bfsgross suggested.

Why are you replacing just two and why do you think the other two are OK? All 4 of them have exactly the same amount of time and wear on them.

Also you can get the CATS struts rebuilt and that would be cheaper but you would have your car down for a longer time unless you can find a pair of used CATS struts to get rebuilt before taking your car apart.

This might be the cheapest way to do this repair??
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Who rebuilds the CATS Struts?

 

Bilstein?

 

This was posted by Brutal our top factory Jaguar tech. I have not found anyone who has had their CATS struts rebuilt yet. If mine give out I hope to use them. So far I am at 92K miles on my 2005 STR and everything is still tight and good.

Service

It's kind of cool because they also offer dyno services and I have never heard of anyone dynoing a strut!!
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You have to do all 4 if you convert, and then unplug the module for adaptive dampning in the trunk to get rid of the message. Sell your used good stuff

 

Hi , any place in Houston with honest price ? for regular one

 

I have a 2003 Stype with the 4.2L plant. Struts on the vehicle are in need of replacing and short of taking to the dealer to crawl through it, no one can tell me if it has the adaptive ride control or not.

What is the easiest way to determine this as the price difference in front and rear struts with or w/out the adaptive ride control is astronomically different.

I called Jaguar with the VIN and they told me to look for a wire connected to the steering gear and that would tell me.

Any other tips? Can I look in the trunk for the accelerometors and if present does that confirm the adaptive ride control?

Also am replacing the brake rotors, any suggestions? Regular replacement parts from AutoZone for $40.00 a rotor, drilled and slotted aftermarket or $300 each for factory rotors?

Thanks,

 

Engine bay, look at tops of "struts" (we don't call 'em that) for wires or none.

 

You have active suspension. Why would you look for a wire on the steering gear??

It's dead simple. Open the hood and LOOK at the struts. Is there a wire going in the top of them?
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They are shocks, not struts.