I replaced the front shocks last year and I noticed that the orange(?)
bushings on the top shock mounting bracket are falling apart.
I think I saw a procedure for replacing those bushings with neoprene
bushings but it may have called for a bearing press for removal.
Does anyone have a less sophisticated process using large sockets?
I got the bushings as part of the shocks replacement kit but did not
replace the bushings because I don't have a bearing press. Not yet at least.

Does anyone remember what or where that bushing replacement is found?

Regards and P O R (Press On Regardless)
Bob

 

Must be nearly one hundred threads on this subject: Best is a pictorial that Old Mike did a couple of years ago off my written instructions. I used the BFH approach.

Find a socket (old, not well loved) that just fits inside the bushing and smack it with big f^^^ing hammer. I think mine was a quarter inch 11 mike mike.

But, you will hear about how that might blow up and hit you in the eye, how it destroys precious sockets; how they squeak in the winter compared to the orange stuff; how it doesn't keep the car pristine and pure. Takes about twenty minutes per side (little longer on the left side cuz you have to move the Power steering bottle). Saves about $300 over buying new from Jag dealer or paying $50 to a machine shop for pressing the bushing out or buying your own press (for a one time use) from Harbor Freight.

Do a search. I think there is even a uTube video.

 

Here is the thread i used when changing mine.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cs-how-128562/

 

After careful reading of the pertinant post, I've decide that I will spring for the bearing press. I have too many other vehicles that require maintenance activities that may require the use of such a tool.
I've yet to replace the rear shocks that I got a kit for last year. That replacement
activity shows the use of a BFH and a very large pry bar (VLPB?).

I am getting worried that I am starting to enjoy repairing the Jags more than driving them. Oh boy . . . I may need counseling or maybe add another Jaguar to the XJ8 and the XJS mix.
Regards,
Bob

 

Yes, I try to avoid bad practices - and hitting a socket with a hammer is certainly that. It doesn't stop being bad practice just because someone on the interweb got away with it.

If you get the Harbor Freight press, it's a good idea to change the arbor plates for better ones. The supplied ones are cast iron, and prone to shattering. I bought ground steel ones on Ebay. Otherwise, the HF press is fine for automotive use.

I still use sockets for pressing, with the press, but I have a set of Ingersoll Rand impact sockets that I use for this kind of task. They are made out of chrome molybdenum steel, which is softer and less brittle than the normal chrome vanadium steel used for sockets.

 

Mark: i know you weren't allowed to have a Red Ryder Bb gun either.

A
Kidding aside, did you get your crate to run?

 

Yes, both fuel pumps were dead, which is why the trick with removing the primary relay didn't work. Fortunately, the car broke down close to Continental Imports in Oakland, who changed both pumps.

A dealer had replaced one pump in 2008, but didn't do the other while the tank was out.

I wonder how long I was driving on one pump for?

 

No. The Harbor Freight press has steel plates and work fine. Not cast iron.
.
.
.

 

See the black arbor plates in this picture? Cast iron.

12 ton H-Frame Industrial Heavy Duty Floor Shop Press

Here's another pic :

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-...ress-1667.html

Zoom in close. Note the poor quality of the casting.

 

That is my repair thread, thanks for posting!
Vector

 

I changed out my bushings a couple months ago with the poly ones. It really doesn't take long at all once the mounts are out. Hammer and socket took them right out. Getting them back together was cake work as well. Put a big washer top and bottom and use a C clamp to press it all together. Easy stuff.