The front end of my 2003 XJR bounces like a low rider whilst backing out of the driveway as it passes over the curb. Can both shocks go bad simultaneously? Are they connected in a manner if one fails the other stops working also? I've checked the fuse on the Adaptive control module and it is ok. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The local Jag dealer has quoted a price of $589 per new shock. OUCH!

 

I think the shocks are in the stiff setting until you go over 5mph. How does it feel when going a bit faster.

 

Do you have a CATS warning light on?

 

As Mark SF asks and have you checked the shock tower bushings, they do deteriorate almost simultaneously?

 

The car rides very well at speed. It just started having the "bounce" in the last month or so. I drove the car tonight after pulling the fuse and resetting it and the "bounce" was gone when I backed out of the drive. very curious....

 

No, no warning light.

 

No I haven't checked the tower bushings as I have heard no noise coming from the front end like I have had on other Jags that I had to replace the bushings. Thanks for the comment.

 

A failed adaptive shock will not trigger a suspension fault warning. I have had 2 front adaptive shocks fail where they were always in the soft setting. You can easily check the front shocks by jacking the body up a couple of inches and then unbolting the top shock mount (leave the shock bolted to the top mount). then lower the car back down which will raise the top mount a few inches above the fender.
Now see how much force you need to press the top mount back down. If it compresses easily (1 hand) then the shock is bad. While the top mount is up you can easily inspect the shock bushing.
New front adaptive shocks are about $310.00 on-line but with limited availability

 

I read someplace that Bilstein rebuilds them? I think for around $200.00

 

PM me for information regarding the CATS shocks. I went through this with them recently when I was looking at replacing mine.

I spoke with a few of their people. The short version is that you can get the shocks much cheaper. I dont have it with me but was in the $300 for one. Lead time was going to be 90 days or so. Rebuilding would be $200 and likely 60 days. This was a month or so ago. Only way that would work would be to put another one on for the down time.

I spoke to an engineer and they said if not leaking then they are not that bad so rebuilding wouldn't make them that much better. Basically advise was to replace with with out cats, or just replace them if want to spend money.

One of their facilities is a few miles from me and I used to know a couple of people there. I have not stopped by yet but will.

 

The statement from the engineer is not correct. The valve that controls the firmness fails and the shocks stay in the soft setting, with or without voltage, but they do not leak.
I have 2 in my garage

 

On my car the shocks are in soft mode and i have a clunking noise, if i remove the fuse all the shocks are stiff and the clunking disappear. How to check if the computer is good or bad.
Now the car is like a Porsche with super sport suspension.
The car drives better than before, cornering or hard acceleration, In the city i like a soft suspention

 

After two days driving the car with the suspension off today i put the fuse back and surprise the shocks are working good now, no clunking noise from the front. I will check tomorrow morning if the sound comes back.
Any one can explain this strange behavior?