the shop sez my front shocks are worn out. the lower bushings do rattle. i'm curious, which are your favorite replacement shocks? i'm thinking either Bilstein or KYB, but honestly, i have no experience with air suspensions as on the X308s. i see comments about replacing with coil-overs, struts? and completely eliminating the air system. pls educate me.

i like a nice ride. firm and responsive, but am not looking to run on the track. just a classy comfortable ride with good handling.

ideas? i have great respect for the Voice(s) of Experience on this Forum.

 

The x308 does not have "air suspension" -- you may be looking at something that speaks of the old X40's rear leveling. The later XJR's used a shock that was capable of two setting - but no "air"

I think you will find that most who used something other than the OE shocks wished they used the OE shocks.

KYB make a fine product -- but the reports are that they are way too firm for the Jaguar. The shocks are a very important part of the Jaguar suspension.

Do some searching prior to spending the money.

 

KYB's are too firm... I had a pair and one of them busted within 6months.... I'm actually looking to a pair of new Bilsteins. I had a bookmark on one of my many PC's eith a website that sold them for $99 a piece brand new...!!! That's CHEAP...!!! I can't find the damned thing now...

 

Hi
Here is the website that forum member Plum listed in another thread for Biltein front shocks (now $99 each):

Bilstein shocks and struts for cars and trucks - Shockwarehouse.com

PS: They may give an additional discount for anyone who is a member of any car or truck or RV forum (see their Forum discount webpage).

Jim Lombardi

 

Get Bilstein Sport shocks.
Jaguar engineers spent a lot of time on this.
Jags have a plush street ride but can handle the twisties easily.
None of the German nervousness.

 

Hi

Update 1/13/2013 - eshocks.com Prices for front shocks is now $89.75 for front and $99.95 for rear
Here is website that sells Bilstein for XJ8 with Sports Suspension (front shocks $91, rear shocks $101.50):

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...har=Q&Manf=All

You can also thank H20boy for this information he provided in this other forum thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...nt-only-37007/ See post# 2


Here is the Front Shock Absorber DIY thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ics-faq-55015/

Look at post# 1

Another great DIY on Front Shocks removal & install is on the jaguar blackonyx website:

Tech

Give a thank you to forum member DavidN who provided weblink to the DIY on jaguar.blackonyx.net


Here is a screenshot of the front shock & spring parts listing & diagram (from Jaguar Electronic Parts Catalog). The diagram should shed some light on what are the component parts and how they are assembled.

Item# 5 contains the following information

XJ (X308) Front Shocks – (non CATS ) listed as “Suspension damper – front - Except adaptive control damping”
comfort suspension Part number MND2140AD
sport suspension MND2140CD




Jim Lombardi

 

If I'm understanding this correctly, all of the information posted here is in regards to vehicles that DON'T have the CATS active suspension correct?

How do I know if I have CATS? What would I look for?

Also, I thought I read somewhere that CATS wasn't implemented until 2000 or 2001?... or was it an option before then?

Thanks for all the great info Jim!

-Caleb

 

ShockWarehouse.com does not show any shocks for the X308 on the website. Of course, I called when convenient for me...and they aren't open.
I'll have to look around yet....

 

Hi
Look at this forum thread on Cats suspension - view post# 10 &11 (mentions shock harness connections):

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...acement-37895/

During an internet I did find a 1999 XJR that was sold and it listed: CATS adaptive suspension as one its features.

I found that the front adaptive cats shock absorber part number is MND2140DC.

I did a internet search with the part number that lead me to the jagbits website - here is the information that jagbits shows:

Fits: Jaguar 1998-2003 XJ8 WITH ADAPTIVE CONTROL SUSPENSION OPTION
Code: MND2140DC

Also shows Jaguar XK8 & XKR 2000-2003 part number MJB2140EB:

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION OPTION FITS 2000-2003 XK8 AND XKR. Does NOT fit cars with R performance Brembo brake option

Info on Rear shock - Part #: MJB3540EB

This info from the britishparts.co.uk.com

MND2140GD
FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER 2 REQUIRED
WITH ADAPTIVE CONTROL WITH SPORTS SUSPENSION
JAGUAR XJ8 X308 - XJR 1997 - 2002

MNC3540EB
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER 2 REQUIRED
WITH ADAPTIVE CONTROL WITH SPORTS SUSPENSION
JAGUAR XJ8 - X308 SPORTS & XJR 1997 - 2002

MNC3540DA
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER 2 REQUIRED
WITH ADAPTIVE DAMPING WITH STD SUSPENSION
JAGUAR XJ8 - X308 1997 - 2002


I could not find definite info on the CATS suspension that shows model years it was introduced.


Jim Lombardi

 

Hi CrazyIvan1958
Your Jaguar is listed on shockwarehouse website page as XJ8 (same model as an X308). part# F4-BE3-2372-H0 Jaguar XJ


Jim Lombardi

 

Jim, thanks for the great link! I read through that thread, and this is what stuck out to me:

It sounds like if my front shocks have wires running through the center shaft, then I've got CATS? Can anyone else confirm this?

Thanks again!

-Caleb

 

front cats shocks usually have black plastic covers on the top, there's wiring running to the shocks also. Standard shocks have neither. Open the bonnet and eyeball is the easiest way to confirm.

 

Hi
The JTIS21 shop repair manual Front Shocks info PDF file I created shows gives instructions & has a illustration of the CATS wires and connector that is attached to the top of the CATS shock aborber:

Here is a JPG image of the page:



Here is the PDF file:

XJ (X308) Front Shock Absorber R&I.pdf

Jim Lombardi

 

thanks to ALL of you for the useful info. YeldogT makes a good point,
"Do your research before making a purchase decision."

This leads me to a simple question: Do ya think Bilstein makes an X308
shock with CATS wiring? Low volume /demand makes me skeptical that
they would go there.

I am in the process of confirming that my vehicle DOES have CATS.

(car is at the dealership right now, awaiting my arrival to bring it home
after paying to replace one of the air conditioner blowers-- talk about
a breathtaking expense!!! i haven't seen the ticket, but i'm guessing labor
was $1500 of the total-- but damned if I'm qualified take the dash out of
any car, let alone a nice Jaguar)

therefore, even though i make a pretty good living,
i WILL research alternatives before paying the quoted
$900 parts + labor to replace the front shocks. The quote
price alone makes me inclined to think this vehicle does have
CATS.

 

Hi
I Just looked at the price of the CATS shocks on Gaudin Jaguar website:
Cats (adaptive)
Comfort
Front shock list price $426 discount price $319.50
Rear shock list price $467 discount price $379.44

Sport
Front shock list price $426 discount price $287.63
Rear shock list price $467 discount price $350.25

These are the prices you would probably pay at the dealership parts department.
The prices are usually charged at a higher rate on the service order quotes by Jaguar Dealership Service department.

If you had front Cats shocks, the parts costs would be at least $900 (then you have to add the labor changes on top of that) at the Jaguar Dealership.

Jim Lombardi

 

Do the non-CATS cars have the wiring in place for the CATS shocks? If so, would it be feasible to upgrade to CATS?

 

It's something I've thought about - I think it's down to each individual car, having a really good look under the bonnet for the connections is a place to start.

But, if they're there, and the car is programmed to use them, then there would be 'Suspensions Fault' displayed if not plugged in? Unless it can be disabled via IDS or before it left Jaguar, in which case it'd be pointless to supply it ready, and not fit them, if you understand.
The other option, if the car was originally fitted with them, then the owner replaced them with standard shocks due to the price, I've seen this a few times on here.

 

The prices are usually charged at a higher rate on the service order quotes by Jaguar Dealership Service department.

If you had front Cats shocks, the parts costs would be at least $900 (then you have to add the labor changes on top of that) at the Jaguar Dealership.

Jim Lombardi
*******************

Fred sez: Jim is RIGHT ON THE MONEY. i was thinking CATS, because
i couldn't conceive that cost quote on "conventional" shocks. WRONG.

i have seen the Bilstein Sport shocks (non-cats) for $240-ish... and i
actually consider that to be reasonable.

at least now, thanks to the knowledge base here on the board, i know
what i'm gonna do. I'm gonna buy those Bilsteins.

Fred

 

Hi
I checked our 2001 XJ8 for a CATS harness under the bonnet near the shocks and there was nothing near them.

Maybe some of the VDP models might have the harness installed?

Jim Lombardi

 

I'll have to check mine for the CATS harness... AFAIK every MY2000 XJR had CATS, except the US spec cars, which mine happens to be.