Dear All,

I have just bought a 2006 XJR recently, and when I was on inspection last week it turned out that one of my shocks is nearly out, so I have to change it in the near future.

I have a quote from a local dealer or air springs (I suppose they are going to be Bilstein ones), but they asked whther I have sport or comfort suspension.

I would think it's sport, as it is an XJR, but I'm not sure, how can I easily find it out? I cant see the paint dot on the top unless I unmount it... Maybe a VIN decoder or something tells it for me?

Are the sport and the comfort springs interchangeble?

Thanks

Barna

 

Yes the sport and comfort shocks are interchangable.

What do you mean when you say a shock is "nearly out?"

 

Hi Barna,

Yes, the sport and comfort air shocks are physically interchangeable, but naturally they have different damper rates and ride quality. You may be able to see the paint dot using a small mechanic's inspection mirror. I would be surprised if your XJR was equipped with comfort shocks - they are almost certainly sport shocks.

Meirion1 asks an important question as to what is actually wrong with the shock. If air is leaking from that corner of the car, it is possible that you just need to replace the O-rings on the air hose and pressure valve fittings. Check the recent thread on this forum with "Viton O-rings" in the title for some information about this.

If the air spring bladder itself is failing, unfortunately we have not yet found a source of replacement bladders, so the shock will need to be replaced. Arnott Industries re-manufactures OE Bilstein shocks and also manufactures their own "up-rated" replacement shock, so you might check out their website to see if their parts might save you some money. I have no affiliation with the company, but several members of this forum have reported good success with Arnott products:

https://www.arnottindustries.com/products/

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks for the answers guys, I really appreciate it. The nearly out means, that here in Hungary, during the annual inspections, there is a system which shakes the wheels, and measures the efficiency of the shock (sorry, I don't know the correct phrase for that machine). One of them (front right) is underperforming all the others. Otherwise, the levelling is working, there is nothing wrong with the air part...

 

Welcome to the forum Hooshee, you should stop by our new members area and introduce yourself there too ==>> New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

As it's an XJR, it 99.9% will have Sport suspension, only way it wouldn't is if a previous owner changed all four shocks to comfort, for some reason, which is pretty unlikely...

 

Right at the top side of the air spring unit will be a 2 cm diameter dot, Red=Sport, Green=Comfort. You'll have to remove the wheel arch liner to see it. However, an XJR came with Sport springs from the factory.

So if you buy a Sport air spring unit, (Red Spot), on eBay, it will be correct for your car.

 

Thanks Fraser, that's great info!

 

I suggest that you need to understand exactly what is wrong with the shock, it

may save you money if for example just the bottom bush is worn since this can

be replaced.

 

The bush seems to be ok, but of course I will look after before buying anything

Thanks guys!

 

Rear spring units have the lower bush at the bottom of the unit, fronts have it in the wishbone, (the straight one).