2006 XJ8L with +205K miles front end noises and vibration is maddening. everything but the inner bush on the lateral control have been replaced, some multiple times (thumbs down on B/A bushes!!!) I recently replaced the B/A shock bushes with the OEM Lemforders, and the low speed clunking stopped but the vibration got worse it seems. L and R Hub assemblies replaced (twice, again boo to B/A). At highway speeds (60+mph) the vibration is far worse than my 24 yr old Pontiac! while doing a supine inspection with front end elevated, I get a clunking sound when applying inner/outer force (shaking) on either front wheel at about the position of the tie rod end. vibration can be felt in multiple places from caliper to the knuckle to the tie rod end, to the steering rack. Additionally, the same sound can be produced by rotating either wheel back and forth about 5 degrees without deliberate lateral force. I suspect the inner tie rod or rack, but don't want to throw $1000 at a rack just on a hunch. I have read here about the brake pads moving, but that doesn't seem to be the case. any thoughts are welcome.

 

Sadly I don't know, but they didn't behave like that as built so good luck finding what is now wrong.

 

Have you checked the rear suspenstion ? Faults here can feed into the front. Have you checked the wheels for damage, these can seriously affect the ride quality ?

As for the front suspension, there are four trunnion bushes per side, two on the upper wishbone and two much larger ones on the lower. I assume all of these have been replaced. Other thing that comes to mind is the engine and gearbox mounts. Also you should NOT be getting clunking noises at all. So you need to find out where that clunking noise is coming from. This is only really possible with the car up in the air on a ramp with the wheels hanging free. Have you a local friendly shop ?

 

I have spent hours on my back with car comfortably supported off the ground shaking and prying and twisting everything with "rubber" on it, even replaced gear box mount. just replaced alternator so got a good inspection of the engine mount on that side...all good there. I was told at the last re-shoe that the wheels were suspect, they indicated they put the best two on the front.... I swapped the wheels front to back which seemed to make a big difference in the vibration at speed....however the odd noise from the front end is still there. Is it possible the new front shock (air strut) bushings are accentuating the wheel irregularities? The back suspension has been redone top and bottom. I have not done the bearings in the rear yet as they seem fine. I guess new wheels are in my future...maybe I should have started there....but at over 205K miles I don't begrudge putting on new bushings. any thoughts on refurbished wheel vendors? stick with OEM or new aftermarket? I am starting to get that look from my wife, like she wants to pull the plug on this car.....or me, hahaha. Admittedly, when turning on the wpers shut the whole car down on the highway due to a broken ground behind the headlight.....I thought of putting this cat down too.....but this forum stepped in and I am grateful. Thanks everyone.

 

Its an addiction for certain, every bit as bad or worse than motorcycles.