I got what I thought was an amazing deal on my Jaguar XJ8 (my fourth). It's a 2004 with 50,000 miles..spotless. Paid just $9,000.

It didn't turn out to be such a bargain after all. Within a week, I had to repair a radiator leak. Then put in a new transmission pan. Then a rear shock is leaking.

My husband and I decided to go with the Strutmaster Conversion...the new parts are sitting in my dining room right now. We're installing them ourselves, which should be interesting.

Any helpful hints before we start?

Also, I haven't really driven the car since I started having problems with the shocks. The car rides low, and it makes a grinding sound when I drive, and especially when I come to a stop. I assume it's because the tire is rubbing against something, but should I be looking for something else?

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Grinding could be brakes too, but you probably know that. Might as well check them when you've got the wheels off.

My understanding is the CATS isn't available when you switch to a coilover system. Also, I think I remember somewhere on here, people stating the Air Suspension Fault error message doesn't go away when moving to a coilover system.

You should check the forum - plenty of threads on people who have gone to the coilover, both Strutmasters and Arnott, with pretty satisfied results, for the most part.

 

I purchased my 2005 Jag XJ8L last January, and I too inherited an "air suspension fault" and "vehicle too low" message. I subsequently had Goodyear convert it over to an Arnott coil/spring system. After the conversion, it seemed that the ride was better than the original air suspension system.

As to clearing those faults afterwards with my 2005 Jag XJ8L, Goodyear had to disconnect all of the electrical jacks from the air suspension module (located behind the back seat). Then, the negative clamp had to be temporarily disconnected from the car battery for some 15 minutes or so, and then reconnected to allow for a hard computer reboot.

According to Arnott Industries, those messages can also be cleared from your 2004 Jag XJ8, and probably in a likewise manner.

Those messages may or may not be cleared in the 2007-2010 Jag XJ8, but Arnott is currently developing a bypass module for those particular vehicles.

 

But the problems started when I had a tire replaced and the rest rotated. I knew the rear shock was leaking, but after they rotated the tires, the front shock wouldn't come up. It was almost immediately after I left the shop that the noise started so I assumed it wasn't the brakes. I'll take a look when the wheels are off, like you suggested. I have no idea what to look for...lol. I'll figure it out. Thanks!

 

Thanks, Rickkk...I plan to follow that procedure to get rid of the warning. It's part of Strutmaster's procedure too.

 

You're welcome alyssem! If those messages should clear by just disconnecting all of those electrical jacks from the air suspension module, then there is no need to disconnect the negative clamp off the car battery afterwards.

 

Rickkk -good to know the errors can be cleared for my 2004 too. I may go coilover when my shocks finally give out, but I'm gonna miss the CATS.

 

anindyam: I would suspect that your air suspension is most likely worn already given the vehicle's age, but you are probably being spared the symptoms since you are located in a comparatively warmer climate.

Jaguar is now equipping their vehicles with coil/springs in the front and air shocks in the rear to address past concerns.

 

Rear ones are done. But the car sits kind of high. We can't decide if it's an optical illusion. Do they settle down?

 

Well, on my 2005 Jaguar XJ8L (after the conversion with the Arnott coil/spring kit), the top of the rear wheel well outer edge sits 28.25" above ground level while the top of the front wheel well outer edge sits 28.625" above ground level. The vehicle is using Pirelli P235/50 ZR18 97W tires.

Be aware that your vehicle will require an alignment after all of the coil/springs have been installed.