Is there a good way to diagnose a front end rattle for my 2005 Super V8. I have had it in to Jaguar for service and they replaced a control arm but the rattle remains. I don't have too many $1000 darts left to throw at this problem (or much goodwill left with the wife) so I was hoping to bring it to an independent with some expert forum advice on where to look first.

The rattle is most noticeable when going slow over small depressions in the road surface like joints in the pavement, raised bumps in the surface don't seem to cause the rattle as much or maybe at all. Once up to say more than 40mph the rattle is less pronounced. Really annoying that my kids 2003 Camry rides better than my car.....and she refuses to trade, rotten kid.

 

How many miles are on the car?

Does it seem to make any clicking/clunking/creaking sounds when going over dips? Is the steering nice and tight?

I would check for suspension bushings, perhaps the upper strut mounts, upper control arm, and ball joints. The fact that you say the car doesn't ride very well makes me think it is a suspension issue, though.

 

From your description it sounds like the same noise I had on my 2008 Super V8, 43000 miles. When I took it to the dealer the foreman came for a spin with me. He said that sometimes the anti-roll bar links come loose, and this was the case with mine. The Repair order reads
Guest states "Knocking" noise from left front area of vehicle while driving at low speeds...Advise
Noisy sway bar link
Disconnected left front link and secured bar, test drove, noise gone. Replaced sway bar link left front.
I can confirm the noise is gone! It may not be the same issue in your car but judging by the foremans reaction it was not the first time he had heard this problem!
Good Luck

 

Had some rattles in my XJR while going over small bumps. Changed the anti-roll bar bushes and that reduced the rattle. Then changed the links and all the rest of the rattles disappeared. Also rode better after that. Not cheap though as the bushes for the links come with the arms attached.... 70+k km at that time.

 

Looks like we have a winner, sway bar link will be my first hint to the service person. Now off to find an independent garage who can tackle the job without clearing out my bank account.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

its your air springs

 

Well what did you find?

 

I would put money on the sway bar end links. You'd be surprised how badly they can wear when you hold a worn one and a new one side by side. I bought mine from Welsh for $30-$35 each (MUCH less than the dealer, and every bit as nice). It's an easy DIY job, each side takes about 20 minutes if you take your time.

 

Well I woke up one morning to find they had moved Massachusetts to somewhere inside the Arctic Circle and have been doing nothing but shoveling the drive and breaking up ice dams since.

I'll be sure to update this thread after I get some resolution.

 

BRG
I have this rattling as well... looking to see if the links cure yours.

KFlong
What do you mean by arms attached.

 

Hi, the official jaguar bushes come installed complete with the arms/links as a set. They don't sell them separately from the arms. I'm not sure if there are any aftermarket bushes that are sold separately from the arms. Hope this clarifies.

 

I have a 2002 Jaguar XJ Sport and have this front end rattle as well. Not as noticble at speed, but is bad at slow speeds over bumpy road. Had it looked at by my mechanic in CT. (Jaguar Specialists) ..appears to be ball joints and control arms for me.