So, after changing the sway bar bushing, sway bar links and control arms in my X type I am going to be changing the struts and strut mounts and bushings in a effort to stop the clunking. I will also be replacing the rear links and control arms since the cars rear end floats.

Problem is my XJS convertible I getting all 6 new struts as well (it uses 6) and that car is getting the best Bilstein available for it, which won't be cheap ..point is I would really like to save money on the X type if possible.

I have seen cheaper Monroes, Some allegedly "oem" Bilsteins sold as a pair for a 2.5 (my car is a 3.0) and some very high end Bilsteins which are out of the question for this car.

Questions:

1-are all shocks interchangable between all 2.5 and 3.0 models?
2-can I get away with cheaper Monroes and not do this again in 11 months?
3-can the strut mounts be Monroe as well or do I need to get Jaguar brand ones?

Any help greatly appreciated

 

Spike, the 2.5L and 3.0L models use the same parts. So, no need to worry about that.

As for using the Monroes vice the Bilstiens, that is something that I think you will be fine for a few years with. The big question is whether they will minimize the bounce as well as the Bilstiens. I think initially it will be the same, but after the year or so, I think is when you will start seeing the difference.

As far as the strut mounts, I think you are going to find that these will be more in line with the factory stuff and you shouldn't see that big of a difference over the years.

 

Thanks Chris!!

So I did find a good deal on heavy duty Bilsteins, so I though "why not?" Only a minimal difference from the cheaper Bilteins or even Monroes.

So right now I have 6, 8, 9 and 11. What is part #10? I can't seem to find it what it is.

 

Spike, what drawing/picture are you referring to? I am not sure what Part 10 is?

 

Mark: This Thursday I can be near Beltway 8 and Westheimer around lunchtime, if you'd like another set of eyes and ears to look at and listen to your suspension. You have my phone # in an earlier PM.

Are the numbers you reference from this Jaguar EPC front strut diagram:



If 'yes', seriously consider replacing the strut bearings - #7. Old strut bearings could cause the clunk noise you hear when you turn the steering wheel. The entire strut assembly pivots on the strut bearings when you turn the front wheels to the left & right.

#10 is a rubber sleeve to prevent squeaks when the coil spring flexes against the strut. Google part # C2S12028. I simply reused mine as they seemed in good shape even after 100K miles.

Again, let me know if you'd like to get together this Thursday.

 

Thanks for your reply!!




Number 10 on this diagram.

 

Thanks so much!

First, I hope that you made it safely thru the terrible flooding we had yesterday.

Second, I was referring to number 10 from the diagram I posted above

Third, I would love to meet up with you Thursdsy if you are still coming up this way. I will send you a text message shortly.

 

Spike, 10 is the strut bearing assembly itself. You may have gotten it when you got your piece 11. The easiest way to tell is to look at the very top piece (#11) and does it have a collar on it that twists left and right? If yes, then you have the bearing too (ie, #10).

 

Mark: I hope you stayed high & dry. We lost power at ~8 last night when lightning hit a pole behind my house and blew a line fuse. You know it struck close to home when it's a simultaneous flash and boom! With a back-up generator keeping the refrigerators and freezers cold, mama was content waiting for CenterPoint to replace the line fuse ~11 this morning. But Katy schools were closed for the day, as was my office.

Part #10 is the strut bearing. When you replace the struts, I'd definitely replace these, along with the strut mounts. The strut bearings are physically sandwiched between the strut and the strut mount, so they take a hit on every pothole, literally. And when you turn the front wheels left & right, the entire weight of the car's front end pivots on the strut bearings.

SNG Barratt has them for $47 each:
SNG Barratt - The Ultimate Jaguar Parts Specialist

PartsGeek has two brands for $36 & $49 each: 04 2004 Jaguar X Type Strut Bearing - Suspension - Genuine, SKF, Front - PartsGeek

Txt me with a location to meet Thursday, around lunch-time, anywhere near Beltway 8 & Westheimer. Look forward to meeting you, and seeing what's going on with your X-Type's suspension.

 

Mark: It was good meeting you and test driving your X-Type. The noise we heard from your front suspension I believe is a worn strut bearing that caused the clunk noise when we turned the front tires lock-to-lock.

Here's a video in which you can see and hear a coil spring binding and releasing with a loud clunk when the bottom of the coil spring pivots, but the top of the spring can't pivot due to the worn strut bearing (1st minute of the video):

Here's another video which describes & shows how a worn strut bearing prevents the top of the coil spring from pivoting (1st minute). At ~15 minutes, it shows the difference between a good & bad strut bearing. And at ~22 minutes, it shows how a good strut bearing allows the top of the strut to pivot without binding the coil spring:

I hope this explains the source of the noise in your X-Type, and gives you some assurance that replacing the strut bearings will fix it. Let us know the results after you replace the strut bearings.