Hello
I have a 2004 S type R which needs an alignment.the garage has told me I need some sort of a kit to do the alignment.Does anyone have a source for this?
Thanks Fitz

 

I'd go elsewhere.

No kit needed. What IS needed is a place that can do proper alignments i.e. knows their trade. There are more adjustments available than many cars and best to get them right.

There's a great (but long) thread if you Search (use alignment as the keyword).

 

Here's Brutal's S-Type alignment recommendations step-by-step in plain English for the 2003-and-up S-Types regardless of the engine size (Brutal is the screen name of a master Jaguar tech in Houston who is one of the gurus we are very fortunate to have on this forum):

1. Set the rear toe first, using the shop machine's listed specs for your car.

2. Next, set the caster and camber, again using the shop machine's listed specs for your car. The front negative camber should be as close as possible to "even" to prevent the suspension from "pushing" from one side to the other.

3. Finally, set the front toe-in as follows: For each front wheel, the more toe-in towards +.13, the better. Combined front toe-in should therefore be as close to +.26 as possible. This prevents excess wear on the inside tread of all four tires (which is what typically occurs when front toe-in is set to original Jaguar factory specs). When setting front toe-in, make certain that the steering wheel is locked dead-center, otherwise you will likely wind up with an off-center steering wheel after the new alignment is completed.

 

I just had ours aligned at Scott Jaguar last friday, $122.00 including tax. If it were my vehicle I'd just go to a dealer.

BTW that was the first time since ownership that our S Type has been to the dealer for repairs!

 

Do you know what specs they used Rick.

I got tyres from Big O and they scrubbed the inside edges in a relatively short time (I don't recall the mileage exactly) I got them to replace the tyres and align to Brutals specs which differed from their info, and so far after about 20K all is good.

 

I can show you the read out tomorrow norri. I do not have access to a scanner.

I did not compare Britals numbers to Scott Jaguar but Scott did say that they are the current specs.

 

In order to save money, some cars (S-Types) have NO eccentric bolts (STRAIGHT BOLTS) for the lower control arms to set castor/camber. The arms can be loosened and manually moved back and forth, but it is alot easier to buy the eccentric bolts and rotate them for precise movement.

Once installed, the alignment can be performed over and over with just a twist of the eccentric bolts.

Maybe that is what the alignment shop wants to replace????

Here is an old TSB with specs but there might be a superseded spec since then.

bob gauff

 

Hello
I appreciate the replies.It appears that the indie edges of at least one of the front tires is wearing.I think the alingment shop is talking about a camber kit of some sort for around $400.
Fitz

 

Doesn't sound like the cost of some eccentric bolts. Others haven't even bought those. Just the alignment. Did you read the thread?

 

eccentric bolts - ya need two sets for the front

Amazon.com: Moog K80061 Caster Camber Cam Bolt Kit: Automotive

 

An 03 and up has eccentric bolts. They werent installed on the ptech 00-02 stypes. And youll need correct specs cause jaguar changed them years ago for inside tire wear when they were in spec originally. Problem is none of the alignment machine companies have updated their specs in their databases. Reason i know, cause every time we get new specs disc from hunter, i have to manually enter the stype alignment specs. And yes theyre the same for stype and stype r. So even if you get an alignment done somewhere other than a dealer, they have outdated specs that will cause more inside tire wear. And if theyre trying to sell you a caster camber kit without looking under the car you definitly should be elsewhere. And you really only need the bolt kit "if" the caster and camber are out or youre trying to adjust to comphensate for tire, road or suspension pull. Otherwise you just set the front and rear toe. Also to install the bolts you have to unbolt the steering rack from the frame to get the 2 rear bolts in/out. 1 OTHER THING. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO 03 AND NEWER STYPES, NOT THE 00-02, THEY HAVE CORRECT SPECS

 

Thank you for the information.I talked to my local jag dealership and they charge $149.95 and use the latest Hunter alingment machine.The parts guy said they have no camber kit for S types.If I understand you correctly,my car already has the eccentric bolts,however,the local shops here in town may have outdated specs that lead to inner edge tire wear?Can you provide me with the correct specs and should I go local or drive the 2 hours to the Jag dealership for alignment?

Thanks Fitz

 

I believe the link provided in this thread has the toe specs for the front. The front toe spec is the only thing changed.

 

My understanding is that the dealer may have the wrong specs unless someone took the time to input the correct ones.

I'd advise printing what Brutal recommends and telling whoever does the adjustment that, that is what you want.

Worked for me!