So my upper A-arms came today, which is a relief cause those ball joints were so toast. I got them in and while the front end has less wobble than before, I still find the steering and control of this thing rather vague. The lowers seem fine, as do the tie rod ends. Lower control arm bushes seem okay. I discovered that the lower bushes for the struts are shot, but I've had to order them online as nothing was available locally. But that should account for noise, not tracking. I've also replaced the sway bar bushes.
The steering is precise, in that the slightest movement of the wheel translates into turning motion, but it's when tracking straight that it feels like the car wants to wander around, especially when hitting bumps. It's nowhere near as bad as it was before, but I would expect a car like this to act like it's on rails. Where should I check next?

 

Alignment and tyres - pressures, make, size. (Wheel rims if non-standard.)

 

Joke's on me. Front hydrabushes shot, plus 1 front wheel bearing. In the rear, pretty much every piece of rubber in the suspension is gone especially the torque control rods. I hoped those would have aftermarket bushes but nope, gotta buy the whole thing. I've never seen so many bushes cave in a car, and I drive vehicles 30 and 40 years old. I guess Jags deserve their reputation. Replacing the torque rods, hydrabushes and wheel bearing first, and that should take care of 90% of looseness in steering. Over time will replace the lower rear control arms and shock bushes. Midas gave me a quote of $6600.00 to fix everything.

 

Torque rod inboard end




Torque rod outboard end




New Torque rod installed




Sway bar link




New Sway bar link




Second Torque rod inboard end




Second Torque rod outboard end




Other drag link




Pile of junk.



After a bit of research, found out I could buy an inexpensive shop press for less than what it would cost to pay someone to do all the bushes this car needed, so I picked it up and did it on my own.





Replacing front strut bushing.




I didn't think we would be able to manage the front lower control arm bushes, but we did.




Second front lower control arm bush going in. A lot of work but what a difference it makes.


I was able to do this work for less than 1/10 the price quoted me at Midas.

 

Rattlenbang, great choice on the purchase of the press and DIY'ing.

Thank you for taking the time to take and post the pictures!

 

Impressive. Great job!

 

I wanted to show how bad these things can get, and no wonder it tracked so poorly. None of it was particularly difficult, although the press needed two guys with nimble fingers, a lot of big sockets, and for the front bushes a set of collars from a manual ball joint removal kit my buddy already had. The press is something you hardly ever need but I shared the cost with my buddy who will keep it once the car is done. I'm not a mechanic but I enjoy the sense of independence in not having to rely on others to fix the jag, not at the stratospheric prices I was quoted.

 

One thank you coming your way
Can you elaborate on the difference the work made on driving?

 

Night and day. Honestly, the worst effect was the rear torque rods. By allowing the rear wheels to flop in and out at the leading edges - by as much as in inch either way - the wheels reacted to uneven road surfaces by trying to turn the *** of the car in various random directions, independent from the front. In town it wasn't as noticeable, but on the highway it sure kept you on your toes.
The struts didn't seem to make much difference except that they allowed the CATS to be more responsive.
The front bushes made it so the front (and steering) was much more stable - prior to replacing them, hitting bumps and such tended to make the nose want to go this way and that as the lower control arm twisted back and forth, rotating around the solid rear bushes. The wheel still tends to kick in my hands, but the front end stays stable.
Personally, I wish the front bush was solid, not oil filled, as I think it still allows too much sideways movement of the lower control arm under lateral forces. I wish I knew why they went with that honkin big soft thing rather than a small hard bush like the other joints. Why you would want the leading edge of the control arm to be able to flex side to side is beyond me.

 

You could have used Lincoln LS parts and saved a good bit.

Also there is a great thread on the UK forum concerning suspension bushings.

Discuss - The definitive wishbone bush thread

The definitive wishbone bush thread

They have really done a great job finding stuff too.
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I double checked lincoln parts and no difference. Aftermarket suppliers seem to know they fit both vehicles and have the same part no.

Thanks for the links. I'll give them a perusal.