HI, I recently purchased a 2008 Super V8, on the road for about 3 yrs with 42,500 miles on.
The car was totally dry underneath (a welcome sight after coming from my old beemer which leaks more than a Harley....no offence meant to Harley fans!), only the left front control arm bushing was moist.
SO all I needed (I say all ' cos its under warranty, but still not too bad in my book)
1. Had a knocking from front end. They replaced the left sway bar link and that fixed the problem.
2. Replaced left lower control arm bushing....guess I'll expect the right one at 50,001 miles
3. Re-assembled rear headrest slide track because it was not working
4. Replaced fuel pump and jet pump because gauge was reading incorrectly ( I presume this was just the two sending units, or are they integrated?)
5. I need to take it back in next week for a thermostat (typical that the check engine light comes on 3 days after picking it up from the warranty work!)

I do still notice a slight pull to the right, usually only noticeable on the freeway, but it is definately there. Tires are all new so I am presuming it is an alignment issue. I just wanted to check if there was anything special about the alignemnt on these Xjs, as in should I let the dealership do it or can I take it anywhere. I am presuming that alignment is not covered under the warranty. Also, can the way the air suspension sets itself up cause a pull to one side, I have checked the gaps between the tires and wheel arches after several trips and they do vary (which I would expect to some extent).

Cheers

 

Replacement of control arm or it's bushing demands a reallignment. Some say they can do the job without disturbing the current allignment. I can and have done so but you don't know if the last allignment was done with that bad bushing do you? Dealer should have realigned after bushing R%R.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, replacement of a sway bar bushing requires R&R of so many critical components that realignment after this job is required too. I'm not sure about just doing the link. Maybe we can get a JagTech to tune in on this one.
Do not allow any old allignment shop to do your Jag.

Don't be discouraged. This is not rocket science and when you get it sorted out the pay off with a Super V8 is well worth the entry fee.

Pulling is not usually a function of the air spring suspension. I vote for the reallignment that should have been done with bushing R&R.

Small variations in ride height, ground to finder lip are normal, even from left to right.

 

I believe that to adjust and set the tracking on these cars the procedure recommends weights be placed in the boot.
I'm not kidding!
Would be worth finding out the procedure.

 

Thanks for the replies

Well what a difference an alignment makes. The car drives great now, and although I thought it did before it was obviously annoying me subconsciously! I just picked it up after having that done and the thermostat replaced. Dealership would not budge on covering the alignment under warranty, even though they only replaced the control arm bushing and sway bar link the week before.
I did stress that I was more upset by the fact that during the last test drive they should have picked up the fact that the car was pulling to the right, and at least recommended an alignment then instead of me having to waste another 4 hours dropping off and picking up the car again....service rep just looked into the carpet and agreed.
Apart from that I am pretty happy with the dealership...now lets see how they do installing an Audio Connectivity Module in the upcoming weeks...and they promise me it will work, and they will warranty it!

 

I have been impressed how well my Jag has stayed aligned considering the primary inner city driving and generally crappy Boston roads.

 

Hi Mosesbotbol where do you get work done on your Jag? I live north of Boston on the north shore and I had a bad experience with the local dealer. Looking for an indy that I can work with. Thanks George.

 

Boy, I'll say - one drive down Mass Ave will have you making a dentist appointment for loose fillings!

 

have you checked tire pressures?

 

Alignment is not covered under warranty when replacing that front control arm. Only checking and setting that side. Not a full blown alignment. I know im doing 1 right now but the customer and i talked and he agreed to have me do a complete 4 wheel alignment and adjust for alittle extra $$ which saves him money since warranty is paying for part i gave hive a deal. You dont put weight in the car. But i do like to check suspension deflection in front when setting toe aka mercedes benz style. And new tires dont meen aything when or if you ever have a tire pull issue, im not talking alignment drift. Cause for the most part alignment issues are a drift not a pull that requires a turn signal if you let go of the steering wheel. Yes all 4 coners can be different on height settings depending on calibration of the air suspension system

 

Thanks Brutal for clarification that alignment is not covered under warranty when a control arm is replaced, and the other snippits of information. Although I kind of suspected it was not to be covered under warranty I feel better for knowing it definately is not!