Over rough roads, I hear a "clunking" sound (very much like when the shock mounts go in the front). Any ideas? I could use the help before tearing things down!

 

Sound like you have the same issue, which I had:
It's actually an easy fix, if you have a hydraulic press:
In my case it was the rear lower bushes, which wanted to get replaced. The rubber was gone and metal was hitting metal.

 

The rear upper damper isolators and the spring isolators are all made of the same material that deteriorates just like the front.

 

A follow-on question (maybe just a terminology question) for someone with the same clunks. Is what Peter refers to as the "rear lower bushes" the bushings pressed into the bottom of the rear shocks, or does that refer to the rear subframe bushings. After getting an opinion on the soundness of the transmission/torque converter making the clunks go away is the next thing on my list. I did the front upper bushing plates a year ago which helped to some degree. And, yes, I expect the rear upper spring isolators will be on the list as well. I only have 50,000 miles on my '03 and the shocks themselves actually seem perform the damping job well, though I expect most shops will want to just plug-and-play with total replacements.

Thanks to @Motorcarman and @Peter_of_Australia in advance for any guidance.

 

The lower damper 'bushes' are actually SPHERICAL JOINTS.

Search for Jaguar lower shock SPHERICAL JOINTS.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estion-243794/

 

SNG Barratt carry factory and third-party supplier parts. Part numbers addressed here: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ushing-276177/

 

I have here a few pix for clarification:

These were the lower rear bushes, which I replaced - yes, those in the shocks. The old ones really had it, as you can see.


That's those bushes after replacement with new ones, using a hydraulic press.


And back then, while I was on it, I also took care of the sad looking upper section of the shocks - that is what Bob (motorcarman) was mentioning the isolators.


But instead of buying a whole lot of expensive isolators, I looked at what is really damaged - and it was basically just the orange little "sponge" in the picture above.


I found that I just had to buy some cheap generic rubber parts (that black one). The parts I got had double the thickness, hence I just cut one into halves.


"For good measure' I even reused the utterly damaged orange "sponge" seen above, after grinding it off and placing it on top of the new black rubber parts. I reckon that is better than original...

PS: I noticed that there were links given above, where to source the bushings. Additional sources:
I bought my bushings at the beginning of this last year (2024) via ebay from Berkshire for 19 Pounds each plus 12 Pounds postage for the two - and that was for CCC6782.
But I just saw that I paid too much, as the same parts (now called C2D4013) are way cheaper on Aliexpress: AUD$57 for 2 incl postage (2x14.59. plus postage plus GST).

 

Are we talking XJ8 or XK8 for the opening poster ?

Motorcarman - the same suspension details ?

 

I am talking about the X308, which belongs to the family of XJ8's.

 

The X100 and X308 rear damper isolator components are exactly the same.

 

and....they wear exactly in the same way.

 

Thanks Bob and Andy as first post does not have car type and year in the bottom left corner describer intro of car

And view public profile does not list XJ8

Genuine Damper And Spring Fittings-rear For Jaguar Xj 1998 - 2003 (from 812317 To F59525) (x308) Classic | Jaguar Land Rover Classic Parts

This for similar X300 , any more tips from your specific X308 experience ?

 

The later XJ40 and ALL X300 rear suspensions share almost everything with the X100/X208.

The early XJ40 uses a coil-over damper with different isolators.

 

@ Bob: X308 (not X208)

 

I missed the type key! (good catch)