Hi- 1996 XJ12. Taking out the springs. With springs removed and wheels reinstalled, can the car rest on bump stops? I’d just assumed they existed like the old XJ12/XJS but I’m not seeing something I recognize!

My scissor lift will blow a circuit breaker if it doesn’t get a running start. I have to have the wheels on the ground, or the car on jack stands, to lift between stops on the lift.

-John

 

G'day John,

The X300/305 front suspension does not have bump stops like the earlier XJs did, the shock absorber is the upper and lower bump stop.

If you leave the shock absorber in place you can replace the springs without problem but if you need to change the shock absorber then you have to support the suspension or the loaded spring will give you grief.

Of course if the spring is removed you can safely change the shock absorber but the suspension components are really heavy and will probably need to be supported to refit the shock absorber.

It would be easier to R&R the springs with the wheels off and the car on jack stands, much better access.

If you remove the springs and replace the wheels and lower the car onto it's wheels it will settle until the shocks are fully compressed.

Cheers,
Jeff.

 

Ok it makes sense to me that the shock serves as the bump stop. I have the springs out and the shocks in, so I will put the wheels back on and see if it can rest on the tires.

Didn’t realize how bad this suspension was. One subframe mount busted, bushings totally melted, and a sway bar bracket missing entirely.

This will be subframe out, radiator out so I can replace front crank seal and sandwich plate gasket. I have a tool on order so I don’t ruin the plastic radiator tanks disconnecting the transmission cooler. Already rebuilt power steering pump which I believe was main source of greasy undercarriage.

 

The power steering reservoir on the 2 bottom clamps leak going everywhere , aged hose deformed compression , easy look at the inside of the hoses

You can cut an inch off the hoses for fresh hose to clamp material

If the V - 12 setup is different Oliver Marks recently went through replacing the hoses and P. S. pump overhaul if my memory is correct

Transmission cooling lines leaking at the radiator ?

 

Dropping the subframe today.

Please confirm my assumptions:

1. The engine mounts are not bolted to the subframe, they just sit on the stubs, right?

2. The subframe V-mounts, assuming they are fully delaminated, have no additional safety catch built in right? Meaning i don’t have to undo them to remove the subframe if they are already broken off, they are now in two pieces right? They are broke and this would be handy due to rust.

 

There is a lot of information , help , pics , and videos in the inline 6 / same build X300 section

such as this thread :

x300 Suspension - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

Suggest starting a topic on the front suspension rebuild including V mounts there

Your V - 12 model will have stiffer items like front roll bar bushing diameter and other bushing densities

This includes shocks ( B6s and not B4s) , this out of an old Bilstein catalogue

 

Went in and found… the engine mounts are bolted into the subframe from below with a single T50 head bolt. It’s way up inside a tube.

The subframe v mounts have no steel safety catch. There is a little fiber rubber strap that you can cut with a box knife. If they are delaminated, cut the little strap and you’re good. No need to unbolt anything until later.

Only thing left is a frustratingly tight pinch joint on the steering rack tower. Bolt is out… it’s sitting in penetrate. Will probably fall off in the middle of the night and wake me up.

 

Just some more suspension fun. Top a-arms came right off. The lower… well one came right off the stub, and left the metal bit behind. Gave it some heat with the miniductor, boiled the penetrant sitting in that tube… not much happening yet. Tomorrow I’ll see if I can slice a thin line and peel that old bushing center off the lower fulcrum shaft. Worth trying to salvage these lower fulcrum shafts (JLM11858) since SNG Barratt wants $173.96 each. Appears Simply Performance in UK has an aftermarket version at considerable savings… but still I’m going to waste a few hours on this bugger.

 

G'day John,

Looks your work is coming along well. You will be amazed at how much better the driving and handling feels with a rebuilt front end.

Don't for get to copper grease everything when reassembling it all.

One of my lower shafts was bent slightly from a PO collision impact and took some effort to get it out and then I had to straighten it with my hydraulic press but it all went back together OK.

Cheers,
Jeff.