I am considering replacing my air suspension with the Arnott conversion kit. Can anyone advise if this is a good thing to do? My 2004 Xj8 has 40,000 miles and just the front passenger strut is leaking. I have found a few used air struts around but not sure I want to use one of them. Thanks Steve

 

After experiencing three front air spring failures (the last two being "lifetime guaranteed" Arnotts) I finally had my indie mechanic install the Arnott coil conversions at all four corners. I'm very happy with them. If I try really hard I can imagine a slight difference in the ride (e.g., in hard cornering) but not enough to bother me. And not having to worry about another suspension failure in the middle of a road trip is priceless.

Ray

 

You might also take a look at the kit offered by Strutmasters.com. They offer numerous conversions for other manufacturers as well, and use name brand products (Eibach, KYB, Monroe, Bilstein). I would stick with Arnott for their air products though.

 

Does anyone know what brand(s) Arnott uses for their shocks and springs? (I recall strut masters uses Bilstein?)

 

They said "custom designed monotube shocks", didn't say who makes them. Replaced my front shocks with Arnott air shocks back in 2011 with no problems thus far.

 

Hmmm, could be anyone (good or bad); although mono tube are a great design; doesn't make me too excited. (but not curious enough to email them)


*I was wrong, it's the blackdog suspension by motorcars that uses Bilsteins as the shock

 

I made some calls a couple weeks ago and found the following:

Arnott - unknown springs and struts/shocks
Blackdog - "overseas" springs and Bilstein struts/shocks
Strutmasters - Eibach springs and Bilstein struts/shocks

If my replacement air strut or any of the others fail (see my nightmare thread), I'm leaning towards installing the Strutmasters kit.

 

I decided to replace both front air struts with Arnotts. Watched the video and started to replace myself, all was going great until I got to the bolt on the bottom of the old strut. The sucker will not budge. I have the "proper" tools and even got a metal pipe to extend the leverage on the rachet. I thought about getting a pipe wrench that will grip on the outside of the bolt. Any other thoughts? Is it time to take it to a mechanic? Thanks to all for their posts and happy thanksgiving.

 

From what I have read on this forum............ it's time!

 

The bolt my require heating to soften the red thread lock (heat is only required on red thread lock).
You may also try acetone to dissolve the thread lock.

I have photos of shock replacement procedures in my photo album.

Don't forget "Safety First"
Support the front-end on recommended points
Use gloves to prevent skinned knuckles
Use a jack-stand to support tool extensions
Use eye protection

 

Be careful with the heating, unless you are planning to replace the rubber bushing in the control arm. Hopefully you won't run into what I ran into when trying to replace the air strut. My Nightmare...

 

QuikCat, I don't know why Arnott wouldn't disclose their shocks, maybe the person you got on the phone just didn't know, but I can clearly see a Bilstein partial name and the logo on the shocks in their website pictures. I'm very familiar with them having installed many sets on miatas


As I posted in another thread, I wonder if they aren't all just using the Bilstein's for an S type and matching springs; similar setup and no need to have Bilstein do a custom set up, then they just fabricate custom bottoms or copy the S type.

 

i did the conversion and the shocks from arnot say bilsten on them

 

Hmmmm... you're probably correct.

 

Must be that was the case. I specifically asked for the brand, as I was interested in possibly going with them. Glad to hear they are Bilsteins.

 

There is a lot of good information out here. To be sure, can I just replace the front air struts with conventional shocks? I My rear struts were replaced last year with new air struts by the jaguar dealer.

 

No. you would not want to do that.

 

Rosskuhns, you mention that you wouldn't recommend the front conventional/rear air shock combination, but no mention of the reason.

 

Well, I wouldn't say it's the end of the world - but springs and shocks are made to work together, the shock valving would be different and the spring rates would likely be different and I imagine air springs vs. coil springs would react is different ways from each other.
Also, I don't know of anyone who just sells a front/rear set of coilovers, usually only all 4 corners.

I'm not saying it won't work, you may only get some funky handling or feel nothing - but it would not be recommended by most mechanics/car geeks/racers etc.

i.e. I wouldn't do it.

 

PeteK812, here is a thread on the possibility of an x351 suspension swap (front spring, rear air):

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-350-a-136998/

It doesn't sound like it is cost effective for the little benefit you may get. I agree with rosskuhns, either keep full air or do a full coilover swap.