This afternoon while returning home from a short trip (200 miles) the rear end swayed as if I had crossed a wake in a boat. Stopped swaying when brakes were applied. Did it several times, both in cruise control and out of cruise control. Traction control off at all times. No codes nor any indication of malfunction. Any ideas or suggestion or cautions? LD in Sewanee, 2000 XJ8L.

 

Could be the rear wheel bearings. When you apply the brakes it keeps the rotor/wheel parallel but will push the brake pads/caliper back when the bearings let it TILT. Does the brake pedal travel seem normal??

bob gauff

 

No problem with the brakes; travel is normal. Applying brakes seems to stop sway. LD

 

@ dozi

Have you ever driven this route before in your XJ8 ?

I have an XJR and it suffers very badly from tramlining on certain roadsurfaces, one in particular that I drive quite frequently. I now know that its going to happen so I am ready for it, but the first time it did it I did actually pull over because I thought something had gone seriously wrong at the back of the car. Subsequent checks from my local Jaguar expert and a discussion about the road I was on confirmed the problem was merely tramlining. I guess the XJ8 has thinner tires than the XJR so may be less susceptible but I thought I'd mention it in case you can either prove or disprove it by driving over the same road again and seeing if your problem only occurs there.

 

Have driven this stretch of highway several times (I-24 and I-75) and have not noticed it but now that you mention it the road does have tramlines. I switched lanes but didn't notice anything. Tires less than 10k Continentals and alignment is good. Happened on stretch of road between interstate and home and road has been resurfaced so no lines there.

 

@ dozi

Understood. scratch that then. How many miles are on the car ? (This may help some of the others with a diagnosis)

 

121k miles and absolutely no problems although I wish I hadn't mentioned it for fear of alerting the Jaguar gremlins.