Hi, I have a 04 xj8 with 114k miles and bought as a project, anyone familiar with colorado springs knows how bad the roads are here and not the best for a jag. I noticed a clunking and rattling noise when I hit bumps, holes and anything else not smooth , I try to avoid the bigger potholes and slow down if I absolutely have to go thru the numerous smaller ones all over here. This sound seems to be just in the front end area. Thanks for the help in advance, Chris

 

The noise may be caused by the lower strut bush or other components such as the stabiliser bar bushes.

Have you removed the wheels to have a look?

 

Hi, I haven't yet. I guess if that turns out to be the case perhaps I should get the arnott c-2290 and get rid of those pesky air shocks. Thanks for the input. Chris

 

I had the same issue. I replaced the sway bar bushings and the sway bar endlinks, and that seemed to take care of it.

 

interesting XJ8JR, did you find any of them had any obvious slop to them? or visible cracks or wear?

 

Not at all. Visually, they all seemed fine.

 

get under the car, with the weight on the suspension, not with the wheels off the ground, ideally on a four post ramp, grab hold of the anti roll bar ( sway bar) and give it a good old pull up and down, if they are starting to wear you will feel movement in the ball joint of the link.

 

You will need to get it on a lift and take the lower cover off to start pulling and inspecting the front suspension components. Check each of them individually for movement or looseness. I've been down this trail and have replaced many parts in my front suspension to find the clunk. It is a mechanical issue, so it can be solved. My advice to you is to look first at the front sway bar bushings and end links and upper A arms. You will find it. Feel free to contact me, I've been in your shoes.


https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-parts-160838/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-crazy-154001/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...beware-195091/

 

If you check all the joints and bushes in the front suspension and can't find the source

of noise it could be the strut itself.

The strut is a hydraulic shock absorber and air bladder combined.

The hydraulic part can fail and cause noise.

 

I fear virtuoso may have moved on since he posted this in 2015

 

I was sure this came up as a new post, I never even seen the date. My bad.