Hello, all!
I was gifted a '96 Vanden Plas back in May, and it's been my daily driver since then, and I'm slowly but surely working my way through all of the "well, it's ok for now..." problems (as well as all of the new ones that have popped up, and there are MANY).
I haven't done much with the front end, just replaced a caliper, but I thought the wheel bearings might be bad. I just had the rear ones replaced and ended up paying $1200 for it, and I'm not doing that again. However, I replaced the inner and outer bearings and raceways on the front driver's side, but there's still about an 1/8" of play, and only in the top of the wheel. I can press right, left, bottom, and it doesn't budge, but if I press on the top, it shifts. Perhaps a bad ball joint?

 

Upper shock mount bushing commonly is loose but is there a connection as you move it in your manor ? The bushing can be seen from the bottom through the wheel well . Item # 8 X 2

https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...d-damper-front

https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...pper-and-lower

 

Ball joint, yes, possible.

Have a helper rock the wheel while you observe what's going on at the BJ. One-eighth inch play should be easy to see

Cheers
DD

 

Thank you for the diagrams, Lady P, they were incredibly helpful. I took the tire back off this morning and gave the rotor a good shove or two and the culprit is the upper ball joint. The lower also has a teeny bit of play in it, so that will also need replacing.

 

You will most likely need the 4 bolts ( item # 16 ) on each lower ball joint as they heavily corrode on the shank . Don't go cheap on the source as these are strength critical . Don't lose track of the shim count ( item # 8 ) on both sides of the upper ball joint as this in theory negates the need for a wheel alignment although it wouldn't be a bad idea depending how much work you do on the front suspension . The 2 x 2 long bolts ( item # 6 ) through the upper ball joint may be compromised as well . How is the upper shock bushings as a while you have things apart as this will cause a bumping / knocking feeling in the ride

 

Duly noted. Many thanks!

 

Depending on how much self abuse you are minded to inflict, I would echo Lady P's comments about the upper shock bushes, and add in the lower bushes too. I dont think they will be contributing to the problem you describe, but on X300s they are more or less consumables and while you have everything apart.....
I would also echo the comments about parts quality. There is known to be some cheap rubbish out there in terms of ball joints and bushes, so unless you are happy to do the job again in a surprisingly short time, go for OEM or OEM quality.

 

Someone mentioned that the lower shock bushings don't last long unless you use OEM parts as I can see daylight through mine on both the upper and lower shock attach bushings