2005 S-Type 3.0 with original shocks at 102,360 miles. Both front upper control arms, both front tie rod ends, and both front anti-roll suspension links were all replaced in February 2017 at 99,800 miles. Both rear anti-roll suspension links were replaced in October 2015 at 92,000 miles....

The past couple of weeks I have been hearing what I perceive to be suspension-related knocking noises when driving my S-Type on some of our rougher-surface roads. I know that the lower shock bushings in the XK8 and XKR models are very prone to wearing out and causing similar-sounding knocking noises, but I have not read about these same complaints for our S-Types here on the forum. I am wondering if this is indeed a worn-out lower shock bushing issue on my car. The noises usually appear to be coming from the front of the vehicle as opposed to the rear, but there have been times when I could not be certain....

Performance and handling remains normal. This is just an aggravating noise issue for the time being....

My car will be due for its next oil & filter / tire rotation service in the next few weeks so I will have a golden opportunity to look for the source of these knocking noises when it is up on my jack stands with the wheels removed. Any advice on what to look for or test for from those of you with significant suspension experience will be greatly appreciated....

 

Here is a video showing you what to check just keeping watching there is a few seconds of advertising.
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=x7vfyR22SWU

 

Good luck, Jon.

My 03 has had such a knock/rattle since purchase in 08. Normally only present when traversing our gravel drive. Have changed most suspension bits (including front and rear shocks) on it through the years, not necessarily to combat the noise, but as they were obviously worn-out or my alignment specialist complained....still, the rattle persists unchanged. (doing rear upper A-arms this weekend assuming FedEx tracking is not lying to me....left side sounds like teenagers romping on rusty bed-springs when you get in or out of the car - the labor and expense required to replace the bushes just doesn't offer a valid return given the ball joint is not replaceable and the condition of it's boot)

A few months ago, the 05 developed the same knocking noise you describe and that the 03 has always had. I remain baffled, though mostly unconcerned....but interested to learn what you find, as I know you'll eventually expose it!

 

Zane,

Thanks for your input. I don't know if I will be able to expose the source of the noise or not. It sounds as if it could be just some loose nuts and bolts, but I don't expect to be that lucky. If I find anything out of the ordinary once the car is up on jack stands with the wheels off, I'll post back here....

 

Update:

I did an oil & filter change / tire rotation this morning. With the rear wheels off, I noticed that the rubber bushings on both rear stabilizer links were shot and all pre-packed grease in those assemblies was long gone. This could be the source of my intermittent suspension rattling noises. All other suspension nuts and bolts that I could get a wrench on were good and tight. All four shocks appear to be good. And all three bolts holding the steering rack in place were tight as well....

The best price I found this afternoon was at SNG Barratt Group. Their rear stabilizer link aftermarket part number for my 2005 S-Type is C2D5993* and with our forum discount they are $65 each. I ordered two since this rear stabilizer link fits both sides of the car....

While checking superseded part numbers before deciding where to order, I called our local Jaguar parts department. They do not even sell a rear stabilizer link for my car any longer. Both of my factory rear stabilizer links were replaced under warranty by our local Jaguar service department way back in May 2009 at only 26,500 miles. So this will be the third set (counting the factory ones). My odometer now shows 102,520 miles....

Once Wayne (cjd777) and I install the new rear stabilizer links, I will report back on whether or not my intermittent suspension noises have indeed disappeared. We plan to wait for the weather to cool down in mid-to-late September before we get together at Wayne's home shop to tackle this job....

 

Update:

FCP Euro (fcpeuro.com) has these rear stabilizer links on clearance sale right now for less than $41 each. The part number remains C2D5993....

 

Update:

Wayne (cjd777) and I are planning to replace both rear stabilizer links on my 2005 S-Type at his home shop bright and early tomorrow morning. Anyone in the Salisbury / Spencer area of North Carolina is welcome to drop by and visit with us. We will enjoy a great Lexington-style BBQ lunch after the job is completed, so come hungry....

I hope this specific task indeed cures my random suspension noises issue. We shall see....

 

Good luck tomorrow Jon. I know you and Wayne are quite capable of handling this project. Wish I could be there to hold your shop light.

Enjoy the BBQ lunch!

 

Keep us posted, Jon!

 

Thanks guys. We finished the job by 9:45 this morning after allowing the rain sprinkles to clear up, then visited awhile and headed over to Hendrix BBQ in Spencer for a great early lunch. I was back home in Raleigh by 1:15 pm and my suspension noises are gone. Both ends of both rear stabilizer links installed under warranty in April 2009 by the local Jaguar dealership were completely shot. No wonder the rear end sounded like a rattletrap....

Many thanks to Wayne (and the lovely Christine) for his expertise and vast array of tools. Sorry that you guys couldn't join us but there will be other opportunities come true autumn weather. We are going to move one of Wayne's spare Triumph GT6 chassis from in front of his shop to behind his shop when the weather gets cooler and the ground dries up from all the rain lately. We will probably do this in October. I will keep you posted....

 

Great news Jon! Glad to hear the trip went well and successful.

Keep me in mind for the October trip to Wayne's. Remember Mondays I am committed to the elementary school.

 

Will do, Rick. I will go ahead and let Wayne know that we need to avoid Mondays so you can join us....

 

Great news that you've sorted the noise!
Jags, fellowship, fun and BBQ!!!