The shocks were recently done on my XJ8 however the bushings were not replaced and I want to put some urethane ones up front. I have the bushings on the way, and I know how to do the whole shock assembly but is there a quick way to just do the mounts?

 

Yep, unbolt the top shock plate after removing the top shock bolt, I lower the wheel down slowly on the jack and lift the plate clear.

Either press the old out, new in, or use a bfh.

Bolt the plate back onto the chassis and jack the wheel back up, install the top shock bolt, lower the wheel and beer time.

Hope that helps

 

Just did mine, I used a small crowbar to separate the large washer from the tube going through the bushes. I did drink a beer while doing this install, and I used a BFH to reconnect everything. If you need a press you're not drinking enough beer or eating enough spinach.

 

I have a press so I will be taking the easy way out

Thanks for the tips guys.

 

no .. no ... no .. Sean clearly said the beer comes after the job!

 

Don't suppose this would work for hauling the whole shock out? After undoing the bottom end of course

 

Where did you get the bushing's,mine are starting to go and would like to replace them. Thanks Rob

 

Best price I have seen is welchs

 

How do you know if you need to replace shocks and/or bushings?

 

Bushings=If they are stock, replace them
Shocks= Bounce the car by pushing down on the corner above the shock and let it bounce up, it should come up and rest. it shouldn't keep bouncing.

This is a simple bounce test and it is not definitive by any stretch however it will give you a clue into the shocks ability. Generally you take age and roads it drives on and replace based on maintenance.

The best way to check them is to remove them and test individually.

 

can I ask a basic question?
Are we talking about the part marked with the red arrow in this picture?

And in response to Chris' question, these look fairly FUBAR'd right?
Don't know how to tell if the shock is bad, but I'd argue if the bushing looks like this, its not good (BTW 96,000km on a 1998 XJR)

Last question: is there a different spec for the CATS dampers or is it all one?
If the Welshs deal applies to mine, I just saved 500€ vs the price of the complete mounting plates :-)

Lincoln

 

Suggestion? Anyone used these? Comments?

Jaguar XJ8 Upper Shock Bushing Kit - Data Sheet

 

Those are the ones I used. Nice simple kit, worked well.

 

+1 I bought mine from Motorcarsltd and then found out welches is exactly the same for $55 vs $88

 

Found mine on ebay, I actualy added a few rubbber shims from home depot to fatten it up. Unfortunately the shock nut and washer will only bolt down "so far" leaving a little room. Car will make a decent rattle if them bushings are shot

 

Ok, sounds easy enough -- dumb question, though -- do I 1st jack the corner up until the tire is off the ground, then remove the top shock plate and top shock bolt, then lower it it down to get the place off. Is that right? Then, with the corner still down, I replace the top place but not the bolt, then raise the corner, put on the bolt and then lower car?

 

I left the wheels on the ground. Left side (US) needs the power steering tank moved aside to access the foward ten mikemike. But simple, pulls off the top of the shock. Used 1# ball peen bfh and a socket that sat inside the female fitting to separate the bushings; used a long bolt and nut to put the new ones together.

Bought mine from Motorsport, missed the cheaper Welsh.

Huge improvement. Put new Bilsteins on (much simpler than JTIS) even easier if the mounts are already off the car. Inserted shock rod, partially bolted down the upper mount.

Put the tires back on, slowly lowered the cat, shocks popped in cleanly, tightened the mount bolts, tightened the top shock bolt, torqued all.

Even better ride improvement; with new swaybar bushings, today, r ide is as good as I remember from my prev XJ8 in 2002, when it was nearly new with less than 1500 miles.

 

Does anyone have the Welsh part number? I can call on Monday and talk to my parts person! I've ordered so much stuff there I feel like I know her personally!

Mike

 

I need that Welsh part number also. I went to the website and didn't see it listed under our model.

 

Welsh's part number for the bushings is MNC216869K, I just ordered them and expect to get them in a few days. Will report back when I have them in-hand and ready to install.