Good day All
I trust you are all well.
I need a bit of advise. Can I just replace the front upper Airshock bushings or do I need to fit a whole new shock. I have a 2004 Jaguar XJ8 sovereign X350 series. I get a noise from the front Rt Hand side shock over slight irregular road surface. The vehcile is not sagging in any way. I was told that it could be the upper Airshock bushings that need to be replaced. I have changed all the control arms.
Is their a kit just for the bushings of the shock. If so where can I purchase the bushings and how would I change it. Do I need to replace the mountings as well?
You'lls input will be greatly appreciated.
Take care

 

Having just changed my air shocks for coilovers, there's no bushing visible at the top of the shock as you hold it in your hand, meaning the shock would have to be disassembled to get to it. The top at the attachment to the car is just a flat plate with the four bolts.

This is unlike the Mercedes I just lost in a flood a few months ago, with the Merc ABC hydraulic system, which DID have bushings at the top of the strut where they attached to the bodywork. I'm thinking whoever told you there was a bushing to replace has made an assumption.

 

Thank you for the input. I didn't realize that. Guess I will have to replace the entire shock. Jaguar and Bilstein are quite duur. And I have read alot of negative feedback about Arrnot Airshocks. Does anyone know of a good aftermarket Airshock. I read about a Airsusfat shock. German manufactured. Has anyone used this brand in their vehicle?

 

No need for any unusual tools to replace the shock bush. Just a few sockets and a vice. I was surprised how quick the job was. I managed to catch the boot but I replaced it with a spare one I had.

 

Are you sure it is the shock creating the noise?
Front sway bar bushings can also create a low speed knocking effect going over slightly uneven roading surfaces.
I already have some new bushings set aside ready to replace at Christmas - when I have some time off to take on a few of the other tasks on the X350.
Not a 5 minute job to replace sway bushings I understand due to restricted access.

 

I am writing this based on the deductions I made reding this forum, available technical information and some pointed question to aftermarket manufacturers.
And BTW feel free to correct me!
So, here is my understanding:
OEM, Bilstein, shocks has ability to change it's stiffness. Car computer is defining stiffness, this is not an instanteneous, but, i whant to think, rather more usefull in turns. This feature is only available in Bilstein shocks for jags.
Stance adjustment, lowering car at above 110mph, that can be available with aftermarket socks. I actually could not notice vehicle height change at above 110mph in my car. It has original, I hope, OEM, air shocks.
I can't accept that airsprings caninstanteneously change stiffness or spring rate, for that matter when car is going over the bump or pothole. Not with pneumatic system, hydraulic, may be, but no hydraulic. Alse, this would require ability to forsee future, like a vision system. Sorry, can't see it happaning on x350 but then again, I may be wrong,
My wife is perfect, to detect me going in the turn at the excessive speeds. "Stop shaking me!" I know she is not looking at speedometer!. The, Koshka, on other hand, that is family name for our Jag, my wife is absolutely content with me doing 50 on winding country road!
I have contacted Arnott, Arsus asking if their product has "dynamic stiffness adjustment" I heard crickets in return!
So, for myself: I do not know of after market manufacturer there that has FULLY FUNCTIONAL after market solution for Bielstein's shocks for Jag. Partial.. yes.
I believe in informed consumer, and this is MY information and I have open mind about it, as I am not in that stage of my life, yet that I can have time to research my hobbies at my hart content.
I treat Koshka as an absolute jewel in my posession. I do budget for the time, when I will have to change shocks. This attitude may be different from cost/effect approach some may use for daily driver. Nothing wrong with that. just be informed and have appropriate expectations.