While jacking the front driver side up, i noticed a slight groan around the top of the strut as the wheels left the ground.
I looked at the top of the strut (from engine bay) and saw that the top nut had lowered itself to below the top of the bearing, as i gently lowered the car i watched the top of the strut, and the nut went back to its original (correct) position.
I believe the spacer inside the bearing has become detached and the entire shock/spacer/locknut assembly is now able to travel up and down at least 1/2"
I was chasing a swaybar bushing noise but this must be the noise im hearing as it has gotten progressively worse. I wrote about it in a previous thread
This would have been a tough diag if not for this stroke of luck as the bearings were replaced 8 months ago and not under suspicion.
New bearing ordered, i managed to rig it so the assembly no longer moves but only good for short term.
Bummer



While front end jacked up





With car back on the ground

 

Wow! That's a huge difference. Sounds like you found the issue.

 

So i got the new bearing in today, im so glad i made this previous post as I forgot how i removed the strut from the knuckle before.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...bframe-144153/

after a while of struggling i remembered that post and had strut out of the car super quick.
My original diag was only half correct, the entire bearing race had come away from its press fitted housing.
New bearing is in and all back together. Clunking noise over bumps is gone.

 

@IOWNME I am in the process of refreshing the front suspension and this info is priceless.

Do you think this a basic structural issue? Would you recommend Jaguar OE mounts and bearings or something else?

 

If you are already pulling things apart, then replace them. OEM vs. aftermarket depends on your goals for the car. If you want OEM ride, stick with OEM. I tend to like aftermarket as they are often cheaper for similar quality or similar in price for improved performance.

 

The quality of oem v aftermkt is nite and day with this item.
I am usually a cheapo when it comes to parts, but this part needs to be oem.
Around $70 on ebay, and the bearing is a seperate item, around $50.
A little confusing as the strut mount also has a bearing!