Hey guys,
I have a 2017 Jaguar XF S (gas)
So apparently my front control arm bushings are cracked/starting to wear. The dealer told me that they can't replace the bushings without replacing the entire control arm. is this true?
They're wanting to replace both the front control arms plus the bushings to the tune of ~$1200.

Wondering if this is one of those things I just have to bite the bullet on and get done by the dealer, or if I should go take it to a Jaguar specialist shop instead and get a quote from them instead.

any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

The dealer got lazy and just want to install the entire control arm assembly. It is costly but easy for them to install. I am not into throwing things that are still usable.
A control arm bushing replacement isn't hard to do. A qualified mechanic can do this as long as he/she has the proper specialized tools. It is a good idea to replace both bushings. You may need a wheel alignment after the job is done.

 

Much depends on the balance between additional labour charges for swapping out the bushes, against just swapping the arms out with new ones that cost a lot more than just bushes. Either job involves taking the arm off and putting one back, plus realignment. Jaguar specialists tend to invest in the tools needed to swap control arm bushes, but jobbing shops won't as they won't see many Jaguars in their shop.

 

From what i remember, Jaguar doesnt offer a bushing separate from arm. That is why whole arm is recommended.

 

Not true. The big trunnion bushes are freely available, and I had mine replaced on my 2003 XJ6 some time in 2014. Some bushes on other suspension components are not sold separately, but usually the aftermarket supplies them.

 

…and that is the key. You’re 03 XJ6 does but the X260 does not. The front lower control arm bush is not available separately at the dealer. Aftermarket I would assume so. If you have access to EPC, it shows arm only.

 

Never hurts to get an indy quote. Online parts stores don't list the bushings separately. I'm curious about the symptoms you had that lead to diagnosing the bushings being bad. Upper or lower control arms?

 

1 and Done...?

 

They should be able to replace the bushings. It's not an easy job, thus they will charge you about $1000 for the labor. I think I paid $45 for the bushings.

 

Hey Kairos!

I completely understand why you would want to know if it's serviceable separate from the whole arm. On the newer XJ's they have finally created the front lower control arm bushing which is part number C2D4723. Unfortunately we have not been able to locate that bushing for the XF. The two part numbers I was able to locate for control arm bushings are T2H24313 that's the smaller inner bushing and C2D6787 is the smaller lateral control arm bushing. I do hope Jaguar or an aftermarket company makes the bushing separate because the arms really are expensive, even the aftermarket ones. Not exactly what you were looking for but maybe this will help you in the future or someone else who is wondering a similar question.

 

I will tell you what I know from an XKR:

First, the XKR forum is filled with incredibly knowledgeable folks who who can deep dive pretty much anything having to do with our cars. More than a few of the members have done bushing replacements themselves (to answer another question on this thread, yes, theyre aftermarket bushings), but for most this is not a DIY job. This issue has been covered there, I've had this work done on my XKR at a dealership, and here's the upshot:

- on the XK/XKR at least, the dealerships only stock the control arm assembly, which contains the bushings, so the repair is to replace the entire assembly. (And I will tell you that the price you were quoted for two is much less than the same repair/replace on an XKR)
- I'd also point out that those bushings are pressed into the control arms, and removal/replacement requires the right tools and some skill. As a dealer's Jag shop labor rate is about $180/hr (and up), it's not clear to me just how much money you'd save by going the replacement route even if the dealer were to agree to do it.
- these bushings are a known, ongoing issue on these cars, so much so that they're one of the things specifically NOT covered on the CPO extension of the warranty. So, long run, it's just something for you to plan for.

Finally, since you're out of warranty: this may be the perfect time to form a relationship with a good independent Jag mechanic. Shop around, ask for referrals, make a few calls and ask specifically whether they can replace control arm bushings or if they replace the whole assembly, and what's their price, etc.
You will find, on forums like these, that there's a lot of "I'm too smart to trust a dealer or a mechanic" kind of talk-- but as someone who worked in the bays at a Pontiac dealership, I can tell you that for the most part this is not true. (There's a guy on the XKR forum who thinks calling dealerships ***********s is oh so clever...) Yes, a good indie tends to be cheaper simply due to lower overhead (no fancy waiting rooms! No free Nespresso!), but don't call a dealer's service department with the assumption that you're going to get taken advantage of. Not always the case.

Good luck!

 

Apparently (and unlike the X150 forum), this forum censors the made-up word " s t e a l e r s h i p s . "