Trying to chase a soft front end clunk. I checked all arms and links and looks tight, no fluid leaks from the banana arm. The only thing that seems odd is when I disconnect the sway bar link and try to rattle the bar I hear a noise near bushings in the engine bay. I disconnected both sway bar links and I can slide the bar side to side and produce a contact noise. I wonder if this is normal, the bushings looks ok but I am limited on the visual. I can only source original jaguar bushings 45 a piece. Anyone replace these with a more durable aftermarket source? I’m not confident it will do it but the sway bar is the only part that creates a noise, although side to side is not it’s normal operation.

 

My first question is did you drive the vehicle with the sway bars disconnected to verify the noise is now gone? No need to be spending money on pieces if it wont fix your issue. Ive zip tied the bar out of the way so the bar doesnt hit during driving. I would only recommend quick road test through the neighborhood, not down a main route.

 

Sway bar bushings are a known issue for the clunking. Several forum members have used non OEM bushings with mixed results. As for me, mine were replaced under warranty many mile ago and solved the problem.

 

I thought and actually executed what you mentioned yesterday, I just used some rope I had laying around. And as expected no weird clunk noise, I had a feeling it was sway bar related as when ever over bumps on the right side it can be felt on the left side and vise versa. Given that the end links are in decent shape and actually a pretty robust design, I will look into replacing the sway bar bushings. It appears there might be some access if I remove the engine belly cover, and gain access from the bottom, From the top there are some hoses going to the radiator that might not allow me to unbolt it. I hope it does not involve removing any engine parts.

XJsss
Do you have a link to the alternatives so I can explore, The main issue is most aftermarket bushings don't have the cloth/fabric liner that the originals have, and need lubrication which can creak during winter months after the lube dries up. But if made of harder material like Poly sometimes it can slightly improve handling.

 

I have no info on the poly bushings, but have read in another thread that trying to lube the non OEM bushings did not work out. Can't remember the thread but it's been tried.

 

Powerflex USA sells the poly bushings. Though you need to buy the larger diameter ones if you have an XJR, otherwise the smaller ones.

 

How old is your XJ?

 

92k 2013

 

Thanks, I’ll look into it.

 

I changed my sway bar to XJR spec and swapped out my bushings for the power flex at the same time. It solved my soft clunking issue and I did initially get some squeaking on small ramps. I think I will lubricate next fall but now that it’s warming up here in WI I don’t have the noises anymore.

 

Have you read some of the recent previous posts on clunks and wobbles like you're describing? A lot of good info, and results of what others have replaced in search of the source.
What kind of fluid would you expect to see coming from the front "banana arm"? Do you have one that's filled with fluid?

 

Yeah, roads around here are not smooth, I think the regular bar is stiff enough. For the price of one OE bushing you can get the two. The noise is definitely from these, as I said I ran the car with sway bars disconnected and suspended and no noise.

 

I don’t know I thought I read they were liquid filled at the subframe. We’re there different iterations? Maybe I have the revised part? Things look pretty good up front when it comes to bushings and arms, the rear on the other hand is a disaster, torn ball joint rubber at the knuckle, at the toe link, and sway bar links, torn outer CV boots, and broken wheel nuts. But no noise just bad rubber boots.

 

Looking at parts the XJR sway in the front seem to be same as diameter as any XJ with the 5.0l SC and some of the Sport Pack V6s. So I believe I already have the larger bushing in my 5.0SC

 

It's not, the XJR bar is 1mm larger, which may not seem like much but when I removed my stock clunking OEM bushings they did not seem out of round. I measured with digital calipers when I swapped mine.

 

If it measures 18mm then it is the "thicker" bar. The older bar was 17mm.

 

You might be right, I just don’t want the wrong parts, I don’t plan on going with a bigger bar unless I already have it. The car is stiff enough for me for daily driving, I’ll let my weekend cars rattle my kidneys.

Here is my measurement to my best ability. Unfortunately the Jaguar online parts is pointing me to the bigger bar but no measurements given just applications. Same goes for the aftermarket Genuine Brand and Febi brand. I am curious as to why that is.



30.20-30.30MM more or less. Different results at the center with limited space to get the caliper there. Inside the wheel it was a little smaller read. Obviously I am assuming the bushing area diameter is the same as the center of the bar.

I will assume the XJR is 31.30?

 

Powerflex appears to be too large for me on both iterations.

 

 

You can see the bushings that end in 49 applies to any 5.0SC Irrespective of XJR.

I get similar results looking at the bushing in the aftermarket under the Genuine brand, which i think are simply repackaged OE parts to be sold via other retailers.

Febi only sells the smaller 3.0l bushings.