I recently acquired my first XJ6, and I think it needs new shocks in back. Anyone out there tackled this job? Diffuculty? How does one get to the nut attaching the top of the shock?

 

There are basically two schools of thought about rear shock replacement: doing each side separately, or removing the A-frame to allow access to both at the same time.
I have only tackled the job using the A-frame method, ( Google "black onyx x300 rear shocks" for an excellent guide) and found the job relatively straightforward, if not exactly easy. The A-frame method avoids the need to use a spring compressor, which given the tight space is a plus. The top of the shock is attached to a dome which is held on to the car by four captive bolts. Remove the nuts from these (easy) and it comes off the car, allowing you to remove the centre shock nut. There are foam isolators behind the dome at the top, and prevailing wisdom is to replace these while you have the shocks off.
As I say, relatively straightforward, and most of the nuts and bolts are fairly large so less prone to seizure/ stripping. Some awkward contortions to extract springs and shocks, but a job well worth doing. These cars really respond to good shocks and shock bushes.

 

Also did mine using the dropping of the A-frame method and thought it was pretty easy.

 

If you haven't done this before, budget two days for the DIY job regardless of either method used. It is a pain (literally and figuratively) but once done it will be easier the second time if you ever do it again.

Here is the main thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ent-how-62143/


Also here's the page with the "Black Onyx" A-frame drop method also contained within the thread above:

http://jaguar.blackonyx.net/tech/shocks.htm



The forum search function is your friend

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these are worth a look:
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page and

 

If you use a long prybar to lower the plate, you can jam a socket or block of wood into the gap to keep the plate in place and the spring/damper will 'FALL OUT'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE unplug the wheel speed sensor!!!!!!!!!! (or remove it entirely on the non-connector type X300)

Twirl the spring 'hat' 180 degrees and pull the spring/damper assy out the top above the disc brake rotor assy.
(this guy is making it harder than it needs to be, my arms are tired just watching.)

bob

 

If you don't have access to a lift and you're doing it in your garage or on the street, my advice would be to pick up a pair of cheap "heavy duty" spring compressors from eBay and cut about 3-1/2" off the threads. They are much too long "out of the box" - the long thread gets in the way when you try to maneuver the shock/spring assembly back into place.

You'll find a small bottle jack pretty handy to compress the shock and push the shock eye up through the hole in the control arm.

In the video, he removes the bolts at the rear of the subframe - you have to do this to allow the control arm to drop far enough to get the assembly in and out without a major struggle. The lower you can get the arms, the less compression you'll need on the springs and the job will go (reasonably) smoothly!

I've done this this job three times without a lift (changed shocks/new springs/changed spacers) and even though no fun, it's tolerable if you remove those rear frame bolts.

Cheers

Larry

 

Many thanks for all of the VERY helpful responses to my original query.
As I mentioned, this is my first XJ6, in fact, my first Jaguar. I've always been a Alfa Romeo driver (I crashed my beloved 164L in the heavy rain a couple of weeks ago, hence the new-to-me Jaguar) and have joyed contributing to their excellent forum at alfabb.com, and am thrilled that the Jaguar Forums appears similarly awesome.
Seems like this a job I can tackle, now that it isn't completely unknown territory.
Thanks again for all the illuminating information.
Steve O'Brien