Just got off the phone with Arnott, asking about rear air springs for my XJ8L. Was told that they are not available any longer and will not be for awhile---no cores. They said they have no idea when they will have them again.

I guess the core situation is more or less drying up, as more and more companies come on line doing basically the same thing. How this situation my exist with other makes of automobiles I don't know and didn't ask. The question I guess I have is; how much longer they will offer front air rides for the XJ8 Jaguar. If the cores end up going other places, these too may dry up.

To offer some good news, the lady I spoke with checked everywhere else trying to find one for me, but in vain. She even gave me names of some places I never heard of.--Most helpful and I think--excellent customer relations.

Cheers.




__________________
vineyardman68
05/XK8 Vert CF & XJ8L

 

That's what I've found Chuck, Arnott does seem to care. Out of curiosity, did they say if you can run their new rear air springs with the stock fronts?

 

I did a coil-over replacement, they can have the old (cores) struts if they pay shipping.

 

I spoke to someone at RMT for rebuilt front air shocks. Their problem was not having cores to rebuild but rather the materials with which to rebuild them. They said they would call me when the materiasl came in but never did. Their website still shows their shocks to be unavailable. This conversation was several weeks back.

 

I have some cores for a 2004 XJ8 and Arnott was NOT interested in the cores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob

 

rosskuhns;
I didn't ask, but from what I've heard you would loose the CATS system. But, from what the lady said, they didn't have any rears at all--new or rebuilt.

 

That is strange, they had their brand new front and rear air springs for sale 6 months ago (I only replaced my fronts at that time). Their web site shows the fronts, but no more rear. I wonder if they had no demand?

You can still find some new rear Arnott springs on eBay. Otherwise it looks like you'll have to go with Bilstein OEM. For what it's worth, I have their new springs (with non CATS shocks) up front, OE springs/shocks on rear of my car, and have noticed no issues with handling or ride.

 

I just checked "PartsGeeks web site and they still show that they have both the front and rear ARNOTT air shocks. Haven't tried to order yet, so don't know if their in stock.
Haven't compared prices with what ARNOTT is asking, but at least they are still listed there. Haven't asked about the CATS system either. If anyone does check, a heads up would be appreciated.

Cheers

Cheers

 

Their new air springs do not have the CATS capability. They use shocks with a standard (fixed) valving. They have the CATS connector in top, but it's just an inductor to simulate the OE shock solenoid, which keeps the system from setting an error message.

The old reman air spring assemblies did use the OE shocks with the CATS ability. However, I do not believe Arnott does the reman units anymore. And in my opinion, I would not want someone else's used and worn out shock with 100k+ miles. Bilstein or not, shocks do not last 100k miles.

 

rosskuhns;
I sent you two private emails but the system kicked them back. I don't understand how to reply to private messages it seems.
Anyway, Thanks for the offer. After I rebuilt my compressor with bagpippins kit (thanks bagpippin), all is well. May have just been improper air pressure.
I'll keep the offer in mind in case all turns sour again.

Cheers

 

No worries Chuck - glad the rebuild got it!! I did a bagpipe andy kit on mine as preventative maintenance, it did make it quieter.

you can reach me direct via email at rosskuhns at hotmail dot com if that helps

 

mhamilton;
That's good information. I was wondering though. Say you have three (3) oem shocks and you replace the fourth with one of the Arnott's. Since they have that inductor on top, do the other three still have the cats capability?

Cheers

 

I just ordered 2 Arnotts today. My front end was on the bump stops. Left shock was completely shot, & the right one has a slow leak in the cold, so I went ahead & grabbed a pair. I'll post back once they're installed...

 

Yes, the CATS system will continue to signal the shocks firm/soft no matter if they are OE or the Arnott replacements. Having 3 out of 4 replaced with non-OE might be a problem. 2 of one style shock on the same axle is fine, but one active shock while the other is a passive could create handling issues.

Example: if you replace one front and keep one OEM, when you go to brake hard the CATS wants to firm up the shocks to prevent nose dive. But only one shock reacts, and your front end will likely dive to the side.

 

I got my car back today with the new Arnotts installed (air front struts). The ride is great as well as all my clunking & thunking is gone...

$1030 for 2 fronts & labor...