Mysterious Undercarriage Squeak
 

Mysterious to me, anyway. 2004 XJR

Wife noted slight squeak when going over speed bumps, etc. When I got in car- no squeak. A week later we both noticed the squeak, especially if we had the windows down.

Yesterday, wife went on a 15 mi journey & it was very squeaky going; however, on the return squeak was gone.

The car is too low to the ground to get underneath while pressing up and down on the fenders.

Anyone ever have this same scenario? What was causing it?

Lifting shocks and air compressor all seem to be in good order

Could it be your tires chirping?

Mine gives a slight squeak audible from outside the car when pulling away, especially when cold. It sounds as if a brake pad is skimming the disc, but on jacking the car to investigate, it is actually coming from the propshaft area just ahead of the differential. Nothing is visibly touching anything that it shouldn't be, and I haven't narrowed it down more than that.

Maybe lower control bushings
 

Mine were squeaking and the lower rear control arm bushings were shot.

"Yesterday, wife went on a 15 mi journey & it was very squeaky going; however,

on the return squeak was gone."

Was it raining on her return?

The rear upper wishbone bushes can squeek and stop when it rains.

No Rain in 30 Days
 

Good point, Meirion. Since we haven't had rain in Seattle in 30 days, very possible. The noise doesn't bother me as much as my wife complaining about it.https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/i...on_bowrofl.gif If I take a garden hose to it, where should I point it?

I would not recommend putting a garden hose on it.

"The noise doesn't bother me as much as my wife complaining about it."

I know the feeling, maybe put the hose................nah.

Yes, Meirion, discretion is the better part of valor.

With the help of the excellent folks on this excellent site, I have maintained and repaired this car since the warranty ran out many years ago; goodness, where have 13 years gone so quickly? I only take her to the shop for front end alignment and routine oil changes.

Back to the squeak: Pressing on fenders and center of bumpers produces no noise. Is there a way that I can tell what is causing the squeaking? I only have the capability of putting her up on jack stands; or, is this a project better left to the garage? Many years ago, I replaced 2 shocks and rebuilt the suspension air compressor(Thank you, Bagpipingandy!); both were relatively simple once diagnosed. Things like upper wishbone bushes, etc. are Greek to me; so, I would need some pretty detailed instructions.

In 2013 the alignment shop:

INSTALLED NEW FRONT SUSPENSION RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS AND RE-SET THE SUSPENSION GEOMETRY.

So, I suspect this can be ruled out?

I wouldn't necessarily rule it out. Those bushings can definitely wear out within 4 years depending on how much you drive and the condition of the roads around you.

Had a chance to drive the car this morning &, at first, you would think that the squeaking is coming from underneath the front seats. So, it is my guess that it is something from the front seats or towards the rear. I will endeavor to look at a diagram today, my best thought is that it is the rear upper wishbone bushes as previously mentioned. We have still had no rain; however, we've had long periods without rain and there has never been any squeaking.

Since I haven't found any ways to diagnose, I will make an appointment with the frontend guys.

FWIW I have a Novenber 2003 3.5 l NA which has now done 84,000 miles

and have never replaced a bush.In fact the only things I have replaced are a

transistor and a microswitch!

Right front "Hind Joint"
 

"Right Front Hnd Joint"

Suspension guy says the joint is sold as a unit & runs over 1,000 US with tax; labor would be $550.00. OUCH!

However, we've been customers for 30+ years and he is going to try some silicon lube since there is not a safety issue; the bolt is solidly intact.

He says that there is no indication that the left is in anyway deficient.

Is replacing this joint something I can do? I have replaced a shock, brakes, etc. How long would it take? Is there an alternative to purchasing the entire arm?

Thanks for your help.

Forgive my ignorance, but does anyone know what a "hind joint" is? I've rebuilt my entire front and rear suspension and never came across anything called a "hind joint".

Me either, XJ8JR.

I will take this diagram with me when I go to pick her up to get it identified.

2004 Jaguar XJ8 Front Suspension - Picture / Pic / Image

Could he have said "High" or some other similar sounding word?

If I had to guess, it is the upper arm in the diagram, most visible on the right.

Okay, it is the Lower Lateral Arm on the right front. Has anyone replaced this? & if so, help much appreciated.

Noticed on invoice: "Replace lower control arm due to worn Heim Joint at lower strut mount point"

Ok, so I'm guessing its this one, since they're talking about the strut mount point:

More Information for MAS CA24024

I replaced both sides a few months ago. It is possible to replace just the bushings, not the entire arm, which could save you a couple of bucks. Removal of the arm is pretty straightforward, except for releasing the balljoint taper. If you're lucky, a balljoint separator will do the trick, but one side on my car had somehow become fused together and took the inner sleeve completely off the control arm (luckily I was replacing the entire arm anyway). You'll most likely need your alignment redone afterwards as well.

The Jaguar branded arm will cost near $1000, but I see no issues with using these arms from Rockauto for around $175.

XJ8JR, thank you, thank you! That is it; mechanic printed the diagram from Jag.

I had already gone to AUTOPARTS Warehouse & found it for Five-hundred & something.

At Rock's price, I will replace them both. Any advice as to where to look for step-by-step?

You can download the service manuals from here:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...k-links-20085/

Search the table of contents for Rear Lower Arm under the Front Suspension section.