I have recently bought a 1998 XJ-8 and have a number of questions that perhaps I can get help on?

1) Where can I download a Driver's Manual? I have the 2 Jag workshop CD's
2) There appears to be some slack in the transmission. When I pull away there's a slight delay before it "takes". Also if I park on a slope the car rolls forward a few inches before it stops
3) On the highway the ride is quiet and as smooth as silk. However on bumpier roads there a sort of rattle or klunking noise from the rear of the car.

Thanks in anticipation
Charles

 

Google found me the drivers manuals

 

2) could be a number of reasons for the slight delay, could be normal. Slight is a subjective term, also how many miles on the car? Maybe it needs a transmission service. Use the parking brake to hold a car on a hill. An automatic transmission is not designed to replace a parking brake. Set the brake first and then put the transmission in park.
3) again could be a number of things, differential, cv (half shaft) joints, exhaust hangers, loose jack or spare or battery in the trunk, etc.

 

Thanks very much. I tried the handbrake out on a slope this morning, it doesn't hold the car. Ideas to fix?

I'll check under the car for exhaust hangers etc. but there's nothing loose in the trunk (battery etc)

Charles

 

Charles:
Its hard to recognize how big a problem from a "klunk" description. One man's tap is another's klunk!. I would raise the car on jack stands and check the play in the rear wheel by rocking them and pushing and pulling axially. If you've got more than 3-4mm movement, I would get after the bearings pretty quickly. Then using a pry bar or a 4 ft 2x4 with a helper you can try to find what is moving. Most of the time I can find what I call a "klunk" that way, but I seldom find my "tap". That has generally required lots of disassemby or testing. Bearings (wheel or diff), bushings, and the other stuff wazari mentioned (or a beer bottle in the trunk) are all possible. When I bought my XJ6, somebody had not tightened the caliper and it clunked on braking!

 

Thanks Ross

The guy I bought it from said it could be the rear shock bushes? But what you say sounds a good start, something for me to look into this coming weekend

Charles

 

That would be another good bet, although you read more about front shock bushings. Thge rear shocks on that car are not the easiest to r/r, but there is plenty here and at jag-lovers archives about how to do it.

 

Parking brake probably just needs an adjustment, tightening of the cable underneath.

 

The best way I can describe the noise is as if there was a heavy piece of steel loose in the trunk (but there isn't of course)

 

I think that qualifies as a "klunk" for sure!

 

Is it always while you are moving? How are you and your wife getting along? Could it be her banging on the trunk lid?