I dorve my wifes 99 XJ8 for a bit this morning and found out the suspension is total crap. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, so I have 2 questions: 1) does the front have struts or shocks? and 2) Is it a big job to DIY?

I've changed shocks on vehicles before, just never on a Jag and not sure if there is anything involved major which would prompt me to take it in and have it done. Thanks for the input guys.

 

The front shocks are easy, the rear ones require some dismantling but can be done by a DIYer.
Could be bushings and or links as well. These are doable as well.
Check the boards.

 

I went to advanved auto to yesterday and they said my Jag has struts in the front but they need to know if I need ones with some "advanced system" or something? Anyone know anything about that? Its just a regular 99 XJ8. I haven't got under and looked at anything yet, was waiting to get the new parts before getting dirty. And I don't have a book for this car yet. Thanks.

 

I would say the boys at Advance Auto Parts don't know what they are talking about. Magazine Mechanics is what I like to call them. Your Jag has front shocks. Struts tend to be compressed into a spring. The rear has shocks too. The only Jaguar that I can think of that ever had struts was the X-Type.

 

The 'advanced' people are asking if you have the suspension control system of the XJ/KR. There are wire connections to the top of the shocks plainly visible if you do, which you don't.

 

The XK8/R has strut type suspension. The XJ8/R has regular dampers wih coil springs.
Adaptive Dampening is found on some cars but will have the electrical connectors that Test Point was refering to.


bob gauff

 

Changing the front shocks is pretty straight forward and easier than on most cars as the front shocks are located next to the coil spring of the front axle and not amidst the spring.

Here's a write-up:
http://jaguar.blackonyx.net/tech/frontshocks.htm

Changing the rear shocks is far mor complicated than on most cars as on the Jag part of the rear axle assembly has to be removed.

Here's a write-up:
http://jaguar.blackonyx.net/tech/shocks.htm

HTH!


David

 

I mean I guess you could call them struts on the xk8/r, but to me a strut is something that you see on a front wheel drive Corrolla, or Camry, or Escort and so on so..... That's how I visualize it in my mind. But technically it is a shock compressed into a spring on the xk8/r

 

Good links david! I hope this thread gets FAQd so it can be found easily again. Can't get much more help than here in this one.