1997 XJR (X300) Owned for 16 years, 142,000 klms, excellent condition

Hello,
I'm about to change the tires on my XJR. This particular model with the 17" wheels has a well documented problem of self steering, i.e following road contours, (in the UK it's known as 'Tramlining') I have changed all the front end suspension parts (Ball Joints upper/lower, all bushings with poly-bushing, alignment is spot on). Tires can be a contributing factor to this problem. I read on one blog site that changing the tire size from stock size (255/45/17) to 235/50/17 helped considerably.........(small difference in diameter 26.3" compared to stock size of 26"......9 less revolutions per mile). Can anyone give advice on this? My tire choice at this point would be Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 but I'm open to any suggestions.

In anticipation, many thanks,
Al in BC, CANADA.

 

What is your caster setting? I'd want as much as you can get. Usually caster is the main contributor to tramlining.. Have you checked the steering rack mounts? Are they in good condition?

 

If you look down from the top with a light source on the bottom you may see a gap where these white colored shims tighten up from the original installation gap

This would be between the black frame mounting and the gray colored steering rack or I can be wrong on that

They can be installed without removing the rack

Jaguar part SPC1059

 

235 fronts only

 

Interesting! I will check on that. I had the castor checked at the same time as the alignment was done after the suspension overhaul, including new Bilstien shock absorbers all round.

I really appreciate your input on this.
AlinBC.

 

Ive had those Continentals....they were....fine. Not nearly as grippy as I was hoping for. I went with some Pirellis after that. Will not do that again.

Now I have Firestone Weathergrips. I've not even driven 500 miles on them yet, so no useful comment so far.

 

Thank you,good to know.
Al.

 

I have had this tram tracking problem in an XJ40 and an X300.
The problem is not in the tyres, suspension or wheel alignment.
It is caused by a decaying rubber mounting system on the steering rack. These cars are typically around a quarter century old!
The steering rack has mounting rubbers at each end which theoretically reduce the amount of shock transmitted to the steering wheel.
However over time these rubbers decay and the rack becomes "loose". So the road wheels go wherever they like to a limited degree
If you can organise it put the car with engine running in the air and take the steering from hard lock left to hard lock right.
The steering rack will probably have about 1/4 to 3/8 inch lateral movement at these extremes. That may not seem like much but it is sufficient to allow the steering system to wander.
The fix is to lock the steering rack hard against the mounting points.
I have successfully done this by wrapping a piece of 1/8 wire (8 gauge) over the original rubber mounts at each end of the steering rack and then securing them in place with a hose clamp
It sounds pretty crude but it definitely works and changed the steering back to what I think Jaguar intended, You do get a little more road feedback at the steering wheel but absolutely positive steering control.
Bill Mac
MK1
MK2
S3XJ6
X300 ( x2 don't ask!)
15 previous Jags MK5 to X308 ( includes 1 XJ40 and 2 X300)

 

do you mean the rubber sleeve next to the mounts?

the arms to subframe are metal on metal

 

Thanks Bill, I'm looking into that. Appreciate your input.
Al.

 

I would agree on the rubber. I just replaced ALL the bushings on the front end and not only did the ride get much better, no more vibrations in the steering and it tracks so much better

 

Xalty
The steering rack is rubber mounted to the arms attached to the subframe.
The rubber decays and the steering rack becomes "loose" typically allowing the rack to move up to 3/8 inch laterally.in the arms
That doesn't sound like much but it is a huge movement in the precision of the steering system.
My "wire fix" simply locks the steering rack against the mounting arms and eradicates the "loose" movement.
Bill Mac
MK1
MK2
S3 XJ6
X300 (x2 - don't ask!)
15 previous Jags MK5 to X308

 

From my understanding the X300 and sports coupe XK8 share the same steering column and there is this thread with videos

Lower steering column rattle - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Lots of good tips and things-to-look-for but I disagree that XJR/6 tramlining can't be related to tires and must be worn rack bushings.

Let's remember that period road test reviews mentioned the tramlining problem when these cars were new, before bushing wear would have set in.

I owned an XJR/6 as a daily driver for several years. I bought the car with 30k miles and sold it at 175k miles. It always tramlined with the 255/45x17 tires. Always. The only difference was whether it was mildly scary or outright terrifying, depending on the brand/model of tire. The P-zero tires were the worst, followed by Goodyear somethings (can't remember specifically), then BF Goodrich KDWS...which were the least severe. This experience goes right back to my early days with the car when it had very low miles and no bushing wear. Tweaking the alignment settings, snugging the bearings, and whatever other suggestions...I can't remember all of them.... made by others were not applicable to me or were of no avail when tried.

Long story short...I won't go into all the miserable details of tire/wheel expense and problems on this car.... I ended up fitting 225/60x16 wheels/tires. This change alone 100% eliminated the tramlining problem. I was a happy driver for the duration of ownership.

When I decided to sell the car I reinstalled the original XJR wheels. However, I did so with 235/55x17 tires (can't remember the brand/model). No tramlining whatsoever, with no other changes made.

From my experience I'd be very reluctant to assert that tires can't cause, or contribute to, the notorious XJR/6 tramlining issue and that the problem must be elsewhere.

Cheers
DD

 

I must 100% endorse the comments made by Doug.
I might also point out that Bill"s comments are based on XJ40/X300 ownership, we are discussing the particular problem of tramlining on the XJR (X306 & unique with 17" rims) and to the best of my knowledge Bill has never owned an XJR.
The fix he mentions is of course legitimate, I myself have a set of the proper plastic/nylon shims previously mentioned, however have had no reason to actually fit them.
Reference to my previous posts, "4/11/16 XJR Overtyred" and 15/11/16 225/55R17 tyres for XJR" provide plenty of comments ( many contributed by Doug).
I have had a set of 225/55R17 Bridgestone Potenza fitted since 2017 and enjoyed zero tramlining, and have managed to travel many safe & secure kilometers.
The 235/50R17 is certainly a closer size match to the original 255/45R17 however here in Australia are fitted to very few models and priced accordingly, the 225/55R17 are fitted to a huge range of makes & models and thus are more readily available and cheaper.
They have done the job for me.

John Herbert (Peregian Springs Qld)
1996 XJR

 

To get over the tram lining I fitted Dunlop Sport Maxx RT Tyres: 225/50 R17 98Y (Jaguar, Extra Load, Rim Protector fitment), which are darn close in radius to original size and I think are standard fit on the XF so not bad to find and a very good price. I was able to get 5 fitted for £525

 

John Herbert is quite correct in that I have not had any experience in the XJR and that I was working off experience I had with 16 inch wheels in the XJ40 and X300.
In fact I did not know that the XJR had 17 inch wheels until very recently.
My apologies for possibly misguiding anyone with an XJR but my solution definitely stands for cars with 16 inch wheels.
Bill Mac