i just replaced all 4 springs, shocks and lower bushings. very weird the front end is higher wich might be because i didnt replace the rear spring isolators ok no big deal. BUT what bothers me is the front left is higher than the front right! this has me scratching my head without understanding. i can fit 3 fingers on the front left but only 2 fingers on the front right. and is clearly noticable by just looking at it.

defective springs maybe?
some other bushings worn? i only replaced the front lower shock bushings.

i had the car on a garage jack i was working comfortably under the car, i noticed the stabilizer bar links when assembling them back after replacing the lower shock bushings the left side had almost no effort to get the link to place but the right side i had to use a plank of wood to force the swaybar up to match up the link to the lower control arm. i did one side at a time so it should have been equal on both sides. this makes me think something is not right on the subframe, maybe its bent maybe something else is bent. any toughts on what to look for?

 

i should clarify when i say i can fit 3 fingers on the left but only 2 fingers on the right i mean between the fender and tyre.

 

Springs sag after years of use. If a car is driven without a passenger most of the time it is likely that side will be a little lower. That was the case with my XK8, I believe.
The sway bar links have no load when both sides disconnected, hence the first one you connect will be easy, the second one difficult.

 

Have you driven it? I never do suspension work and worry about how the car looks off the jacks till I drive it and let everything settle in place properly through road use.

 

Don't know if it's relevant, but the springs have a "top" and "bottom" so, if you had the springs out, is it possible that you've put one of them back in, upside down? One end of the spring flattens out as opposed to the other end which is more rounded. Not sure which way is "up".

 

JT, yes ive driven it for maybe 2 miles going over bumps thinking it will fall into place but it doesnt.

SoGood, I was thinking the exact same thing last night as i was reading on the H&R site for spring orientation. i believe i placed the all with the brand and letters written on the springs so that they read correctly but on the site it said the closer coils should go up. i didnt take photos of the springs before mount so i cant recall if the front springs actually had coils closer together on one end. i believe they where identical on both ends. i will look under there to see if i can see any difference in one side to the other with it all installed. thanks

 

i cheked both sides at the front and both springs look identical both are installed with their markings up right. very confused here

 

Did you replace the spacers atop the springs?



Genuine® W0133-1620944 - Jaguar XJ-Type 1995-1996 Spring Support

 

front springs dont have that. they only have a thin plastic ring that goes on top and bottom of spring. that piece goes on the top rear springs with a thin ring on the inside.and the isolator on the top. i will have to replace the isolators no doubt about that they where in bad shape but didnt have them in hand and not sold locally so need to buy online and looking for some rubber replacements instead of the factory foam. but the issue is on the front end. ive driven quite a few more miles but it has not settled. the left driver side is still higher than the right passenger side. there is no error in installation so its either the springs came defective from factory or since ive yet not replaced the vee mounts the subframe might be out of place a bit and the car sitting ontop of a veemount bolt on one side. highly unlikely but then both theories are imo.

 

its been many more miles, the new springs should be settled by now. yet the front height discrepancy is still there. i need some help with thisone. planing on removing the swaybar links to see if the front height levels off.