Just finished replacing the entire front end along with new air springs. All I had left to do before putting the wheels on and getting it back on the ground was to connect the air lines and found an interesting issue - The OE connectors are M10x1.0 and the fitting on my new unit is M8x1.0. The M8 fitting from the new units will not accept the 6mm front air line so I have no way to connect the line to the spring unit.

Anyone run into this before or have a solution? Would I be able to find an M8 fitting that will accept 6mm line, or even use an adapter here? Any help appreciated, really hoping I don't have to take this all apart again, just got everything installed and torqued to spec at ride height. Really wish I checked this before I got into it, didn't even think it would be a possibility that this would be an issue...

 

So figured out what was going on here - The lines to the front springs are 6mm and 4mm to the rears. Looks like they installed 4mm residual valves on all the shocks. Managed to remove them from the front springs in the car, but the stock valves look like they won't really work in these aftermarket units, they would go too far down in the shock tower. Hopefully the manufacturer just made a mistake here and can get me the right fittings.

 

Outcome??

 

Ended up being they installed the 4mm residual valves in all 4 air springs, front should be 6mm. I got tired of waiting for replacements so removed the valves from my original shocks and installed them on these. Worked great for about 5 minutes...They installed fine and no leaks at the fittings, but the passenger side had a leak in the shock itself and was junk. These were from a supplier in China (got them for free) so now trying to figure out what to do. Thinking Arnott but not thrilled because they are expensive and I hear bad things about them. Annoyed that OE shocks are so expensive and I know the car will never be the same and never ride as well no matter what I do as far as aftermarket junk. I'll be getting rid of it as soon as I can get the system working again.

 

Those free off-brand shocks sound about as free as a free puppy. I just purchased my first XJ8 with the CATS still working (only 32K miles) and will try to keep it OEM. Though I'm new to Jaguar I really haven't read anything bad about Arnott other than not being CATS compatible. It's a shame you're going to have to sell it but I know all to well the frustration with a problem child. Good luck........Jack.

 

Yes, great analogy I got them from a supplier we use at work to make regular hydraulic dampers that are actually really good. Guess they just haven't figured out the air yet. My car has 60k on it currently and its a real shame it will never again ride like it should. Really wish the OE setup was a bit more reasonable, or they put a proper suspension under these cars in the first place (like the S-types with CATS).

 

I just noticed the Buick paddock in your signature. I had a 2018 Regal TourX for about two years till it got totaled. Great car that got many, many compliments. Buick sure missed the mark on it with their pricing and complete lack of advertising for it. Nobody and I mean nobody knew what it was.

 

Yes, those were great cars and I agree they were not marketed well, if at all. The newest Buick we currently have is my wife's 2016 Regal GS and we love that car. Just turned 75k miles and has been a great car, minimal maintenance/issues. I've owned a lot of cars over the years (including quite a few Jags), and the x356 XJ has been my favorite by far. Such a wonderful car when working properly and everything is in order.