Since you have the option of replacing the driveshaft under warranty, you should definitely go for it. For others, it would be nice to know if the flexible coupling can actually be replaced (obtained from a source other than Jaguar). If you get a chance to inspect the manner in which the coupling is "affixed to the shaft." If it is bolted to the driveshaft, that might give us hope. If it is pressed onto the shaft before the shaft is balanced, we might still be able to come up with a DIY renewal method. I suppose it could be fixed in place with adhesive or such.

Please keep us informed!

Cheers,

Don

 

I just noticed that the Sticky on "What to Look Out For in an X350" contains this little nugget of wisdom:

"Driveshaft / Propshaft center bearing & couplings
After 120'000 miles or so the center bearing in the propshaft tends to get a little loose, giving a slight "thud" when you get on & off the throttle. The center bearing cannot be replaced, only the entire propshaft.

The rubber couplings at each end of the propshaft should also be changed preventatively after 10 years, as the rubber will perish with age. These are not available for the X350, but the S-Type ones are identical."

Might be worth further investigation!

Cheers,

Don

 

Vinny, just wondering if you ever resolved this?

 

My 2005 VDP suffers from exactly the same symptoms.
Drive on up through the speed, and choose a relatively smooth cruising speed, but still a real pia.

Help Vinny!

 

I also have this problem. I rotated wheels and tires and it didn't change a thing. I do have to replace the upper control arm. If that doesn't fix it i will down have to chase the problem.


Please Vinny if you are out there update us on your progress

 

Updates please - interested parties want to know!

 

i have a 99 xj8 l vp i bought it a year ago and my excellent mechanic has been chasing the 53mph -60+ mph vibration in the drive train . it can be minimized with the sport mode but this is not right and i can only wonder what ddmage is taking place during this band aid.. we have been fighting this for a year.. the car was not delivered like this so why are we not able to get it back to like new? switched out the tranny , new juries , replaced drive shaft , just installed update tcm and still it is there. very slight vibe below 53 almost unnoticeable but at 53 it gets almost unbearable. i saw on this forum one time that some one knew of a mechanic in new england who knew the trick to cure but i failed to copy down the information..if anyone knows how to fix this i would be really appreciative.. feel free to email to me at qt1449@aol.com thank you in advance

 

Have you tried to have the wheels balanced too? They seem to be very sensitive as far as vibration goes.

 

You say it changes with sport mode? So it is not solely a speed thing? I had a xj-40 and a x308 that both had a vib at 55-65 along with a howl. The howl in one was a diff (well known with xj-40's), cured that by rebuilding the diff. The vib issue ended up to be output bearings on one and carrier bushings on the other. It seems that everything from the tranny to driveshaft have been addressed. Maybe its a driveline issue. Driveline issues usually show up at a certain speed range. Under - nothing, over - nothing, but a 10-15 mph range could be drive line.
Before I fixed them, I just goosed it to 70-75 and all was quiet. Not the best cure, but didnt embarass me with a rider either. I feel your pain, it seems you have dumped enough into it to solve it.

 

Vinny T
I just read all the post on this issue that you started back in 2014. It is now 2016 and I see no post by you on what the fix was, if any.

Would be nice if you would update what you found out and give all who offered suggestions an update as to what you found was your vibration problem, if anything.

Cheers

 

Chuck et al,

I can give you my 2 cents: I had posted some time ago and have had some work done in the meantime that may shed some light (as in glowing ember...).

I had my driveshaft replaced. That made the vibration worse for a couple of weeks.
I then had my tires, shocks and a joint (can't remember which, can't get a hold of my paperwork right now) replaced. No difference.

the car has since developed a wander with side wind and a rattle when going over uneven surfaces when driving slow, so I know that some bushings need replacing. I am bringing it in for service soon-ish.

One postulation I have, is that the rear subframe bushings are worn out, and have caused the subframe to rotate, which has put the rear diff out of alignment with respect to the driveshaft. I have this inclination because of the result I got when replacing the driveshaft. The vibration was worse when driving for a few days and then got better to the point where it was before. I think the new donuts were stiffer enough to amplify the alignment issue and then loosened up. Also, the vibration is worse the longer the car has been sitting.

I will post an update when the bushings have been replaced.

But please, chime in if one has found a solution!

 

Never fixed it, traded in the Jag for a Merc.

 

That's one way to fix it!!!!!