Has anyone performed a total bushing replacement and did it change the ride. I have noticed for the last few year that small bumps in the road are more noticeable. I did a shock replacement about two years back. I guess it also could be the springs but of course don't want to go that route

 

Hi Phil,

I replaced all the bushings in the suspension of our '93 XJ40, the suspension of which is virtually identical to your X300, and it made a considerable difference in the ride, handling and steering. Off the top of my head, I replaced all the control arm bushings, the shocks and associated bushings & spring isolators, the front and rear subframe bushings, and the engine & transmission mounts. I did it in steps, but by the time everything was replaced I felt that the ride and handling were probably very close to new, aside from the occasional body creak. I mentioned steering because I have found on the XJ40s and X300s on which I have replaced the rear subframe bushings the steering precision improves. Apparently when those bushings perish they allow the rear end to self-steer, undermining overall steering response.

I also replaced all four wheel bearings and rebuilt the differential. A lot of this work is documented in the photos at the link in my signature, although the large images at Jag-Lovers have still not been transferred to the "new" servers.

Cheers,

Don

 

Any recommendations on a bushing kit. Your pictures are great and will make things a lot easier, and I see a few more things in there that will be very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make those and post them.

 

At this point you may find that your bushing options are limited. The original bushings were probably made by Lemfoerder/Lemförder if you can find them, but the last time I shopped for bushings ÜRO Parts was the only current option for some of them. Check with our forum sponsors SNG Barratt & Jagbits, as well as Welsh Enterprises, FCP Euro, Rock Auto, Parts Geek, etc.

Cheers,

Don

 

Can you please take a look at this list and see if I am missing anything before I start my google search? I don't want to start following your How To's until lI make sure I have everything

Front Control Arm Lower Arm Fron
Front Upper Control Arm Bushing
Front Lower/upper Shock Mounting Bushing
Front Sway Bar mount bushingReply
New Ball Joints
Stabilizer Bar End Link / Bushing
Sub Frame Mount Bushing

 

Hi Phil,

You can look up part numbers for the following at parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com

For the front suspension, you need the upper control arm bushings (Part 3), the lower control arm bushings (Parts 11 & 12), the lower shock absorber bushings (Part 13), and the ball joints (Parts 7 & 15). If I recall correctly, the screws that secure the lower ball joints are not metric, but rather SAE/inch fractional (the lower ball joints are a GM part, I think):




For the front subframe, you want the Vee mounts (Part 3), and the rear fulcrum bushes (Part 2):


For the shocks, in addition to the lower bushings previously mentioned that press into the control arm, you need the two shock top isolator bushings (Parts 8) and possibly the bump stops or "assisters" (Part 13), although you will sometimes find that your old ones are still OK. If you find a good deal on a pair of Bilstein shocks, they will come with these bushings and new dust gaiters (Part 12). Often, the difference between the cost of the individual bushings and new shocks that come complete with new bushings is surprisingly insignificant, making new shocks a no-brainer:




Since you're going to support your engine and drop the subframe to replace the bushings, consider replacing the engine mounts while you're at it (Part 3):



And also the transmission mount bushing (Part 13) and spring seat (Part 12):








Cheers,

Don

 

Wow that is a very detailed list. I guess I will start on everything but the subframe first since those are going to be a little easier and once I get those complete I will takle the rest

 

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Whilst I have by no means replaced all of my bushings, I have changed a fair few, including the A frame bushes, and I have changed my shocks ( like for like, OEM) .
By far the biggest improvement came from the rear shocks. There was nothing obviously wrong to start with, and it was a "preventative" change, but what an improvement!

 

Interestingly, I went to the Bilstein shock on all four, and the ride got a lot tighter, and the ride got worse. So I have already purchased all the front suspension bushings and will take a few weeks of vacation to change them all out