Hello,
I recently replaced the front tires on my '98 JX8 VDP because the inside edges were worn down to the radials (they were like that when I got the car). I was told by my tire shop that too much negative camber was the cause of the tire wear pattern (which made sense) and said it would need a front-end alignment.

I called up the local Jag dealership and they wanted $500 to do a 4-wheel alignment because they say it's needed most of the time on older Jags. Would I be able to get just a front-end alignment to rectify the problem?

Also, while the car tracks in a straight line and the wheel is centered properly, the steering feels a little squirrely at highway speeds, similar to driving a car with older bias-ply tires feels like. I would hope that a front-end alignment would fix this, since all of the ball joints and bushings up front feel tight. Any help would be appreciated

 

Entirely plausible.





FWIW, I've never had a 4-wheel alignment. I've *wanted* to have a 4-wheel alignment several times but the rear settings have never gone out-of-spec. So, for me, a front wheel alignment is all I've ever had done.

On GP's, though, you'll want to have the rear settings checked....which is SOP for any shop these days

Changing the rear settings is more more that the fronts but I just can't see $500 for an alignment no matter how you slice it.




Incorrect caster (specifically, lack of positive caster) can make the car/steering feel loose or squirrely. I always ask that the caster be set as close as possible the maximum allowable spec.

Cheers
DD

 

Severly worn ball joints and suspension shims can also make the car feel squirley.

As for a $500, ask them if they bumped there head or something?!
That is off-the-charts overpriced...

 

The Jag dealer in Orlando gets approx $200 to 4 wheel align an 07 XK. It's $150 in Tampa. $500 is way out of line. Do you have any recourse ?

Be aware that nearly all dealers now have a policy, complete with computer graphics, of trying to up sell extra services when they get your car in. You need to be an informed consumer in order to avoid getting skinned alive.

 

Find a local alignment shop and get a 4 wheel. We used to get $189 for 4 Wheel when I was at the Jaguar dealer. The local shop I use now gets less than $100 for a 4 wheel with the same $50,000 machine that the Jag dealer uses.

Do you still have the original plastic lower control arm bushes?????????

You might need to replace some suspension parts before the car will align correctly.

bob gauff

 

The Jag dealership said the 4-wheel alignment can cost so much because they have to drop the rear end to install the shims - that really sounded fishy to me. I'm dropping it off monday to a local tire shop who said they can do a front-end alignment for $89 (they specifically said they can align Jags). I've taken other cars to them and I trust them more than the dealer.

The first tire shop (the ones who replaced the front tires) said everything in the front end seemed tight, I would hope that they'd have no problem spotting a loose ball joint).

Also, is both the camber and caster adjustable on the XJ8's?

 

The rear camber is set with shims. The originals are usually 4mm but I have found that 6mm shims will get the camber back in spec if it is required.
The shims are around $40 each.

It does take more time to displace the axle shaft to swap shims but it might be in spec already. You DO NOT need to 'drop the rear' to replace the shims.

bob gauff

 

Is displacing the axle shaft simply a case of four bolts and wiggling the shaft back a bit?

 

Lift the rear wheels of the car off the ground slightly and allow the top to tilt out when the 4 axle bolts are removed to replace the shim.

bob gauff

 

Plastic LCA bushing? Can you explain motorcar man?

Also -- what do you often find is needed to restore the x308 front end.

People are always asking - and most shops not familiar with Jaguars don't know what to look for.

On a MB 210 once you are doing the ball joints you do the LCA bushings or vise versa - as they are going to be bad soon anyway -- what about the x308?


Thanks

 

Dude, I decided to mess with my alignment last night after having this problem. It will eat the inner edge of tires and it looked like the tires have serious negative camber. As of late it has been a bit squirrely especially at highway speeds. Can any alignment shop do the front? Where are the adjustments for the camber and caster in the front?

 

the rear alignments need shims alot, so they charge you an extra 200-300 for the shims...i think they were giving you worse case, the last time i had the dealer do it is was $300 something...

 

The original 1997/98 XK and 1998 XJ cars had plastic type inner lower control arm bushes. Then there was an updated bush, then another-nother updated bush set.

Make sure you have the latest iteration of the bushes.

 

Do all 98s have those bushings from the factory? Mine is a 99, but I think it might have been built in late 98. FWIW, my bushings appear to be rubber at first glance.

 

You do realize that that 1998 was 15 years ago. I don't remember when the original bushes were updated but I rarely saw the plastic ones make it out of factory warranty.

bob gauff