My 1996 X300 has passed its annual MOT with two advisories! The first is that both front suspension struts have a worn spacer between body and shock absorber. I guess this is a simple fix! Next the left front wheel bearing has some play in the vertical plain. I guess that this means worn bearings! So my question is ,are these bearings the taper bearing type that are adjustable? Or are they non-adjustable and need replacing? There was also mention of a rubber suspension bush with play in it. Alec G.

 

Tapered and adjustable.

Unless history is known I interpret loose bearings as a signal that it's time for a remove/clean/repack exercise. If dry, they're probably worn out.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug, Thanks for that! I'll have a looksee! Alec G.

 

MOT testers in UK have no idea how to properly assess wheel bearings play on x300 Jags. I've never met a tester that actually understood how much play is acceptable there and I've met lots that simply added it to advisory list every single year just because they've noticed play in 12-6 when rocking the wheel. There suppose to be play there!
Jaguar specification I think said 0.025 to 0.08mm in and out when using a dial gauge and anything within this range will give you a noticeable play when rocking the wheel up and down so unless your wheel actually has tons of play or wheel bearing feels a bit rough best to leave it alone.
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There was a front wheel bearing problem with the later V8 powered X308 so they have a replacement # change or upgrade

X300 and X308 having similar front wheel assemblies be careful to order the correct X300 part and the supplier can still get them mixed up

Repacking is an easy try to satisfy a inspector but Doug is correct on wear

The upper shock bushing or donut should be the same but I say that without knowing for a fact

 

Katar is bang on. There is supposed to be a little play, and removing it will damage the bearings. Not many cars are like this nowadays, so the MoT tester has likely jumped to the wrong conclusion; a bit like he did re the front "struts".....