I need to change both front lower balljoints on the XJR.

Has anyone does this before? What procedure did you use?

Here is my plan :

Support under spring pan with a jack.
Remove the shock absorber which is also the limiter for the suspension travel.
Put my spring compressors on the spring, and snug them up. Just starting to tighten.
Lower the jack. The spring compressors should now be taught, holding the spring in compression.
Remove arms with spring pan.
Dismantle on the bench.
Press out balljoint.
Press in new one.

Bob's your uncle, eh?

 

You will need the Jaguar spring compressor (the long threaded rod type) if you didn't know, if you plan on removing the lower arm first. Any other type of spring compressor will not work due to the curvature of the spring and the spring pan getting in the way.
Believe me its not at all recommended to take any chances with these springs.
There is a thread on here somewhere where a member did this job with the wishbone arm still on the car, using a large G-clamp type ball joint tool. I think he had to cut the threaded part down to accomodate the separator cup/socket using the tool.

Heres the link :

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-joint-78634/

I've changed lower ball joints using this tool (and a large vice), but with a scrap set already dissassembled, it was no easy job. If you have a press and the cups/sockets so much the better....

 

Very good advice from Kyle04. DO NOT (wow capitals) try to remove the spring without the spring compressor made for this car. Several posts detail how to make your own if you want to go that route.

You can replace the lower ball joint in place with the C clamp mentioned. This is what I did and it is so much safer than removing the spring and lower arms. You will need the ball joint remover C clamp, a grinder, and a variety of sleeves/cups to fit around the ball joint. The link that Kyle04 posted shows what you need.

I have worked on many cars and have never been faced (literally) with anything as scary as the bent front springs on this car. Read the post about the spring that shot through a guy's sheetrock ceiling when it released without warning.

Mark, you provide a lot of helpful advice to others on the forum. I am trying to return the favor here. Don't mess with the front springs without the correct spring compressor.

 

Thanks for the tips. Right now I'm planning to try it in-situ, with a C clamp, and if that doesn't work out, I'll make a replica of the Jaguar tool.