Hello All; I have a 2002 XJ8 with only 68K. Base model. The prior owner has the front end aligned and new tires and brakes installed when it had 66K/2years ago. Car is in real nice shape. However, I noticed the steering wheel will shimmy/shake back and forth slightly while decelling down from high speeds{from about 70MPH} WITHOUT any brake application. Any hints? I assume there must be some front end wear like a tie rod end or the intermediate bar/pitman arm, etc, but since the car had that recent work, I assumed that the Jag Dealer repairing shop would had jumped on the chance to sell more repairs when servicing it for the alignment and tires. Unless they were just lazy. Or the tires hit a curb, hard? The car also drifts slightly to the left on the highway during steady state road load. Maybe that's key evidence? And this being my first Jaguar, I noticed that these cars are indeed a different animal {tank's fuel pump line access, anyone??}. I'm a Car Guy/ retired automotive engineer and am familiar with these topics, but wanted to bounce it off the Jaguar Forum, as these car are somewhat specialized. Looks Old School, but...Thanks for any input.

 

Wheel balance would be my first check

 

Hi gpepiton,

I have moved your thread from the forum for the X350 to the forum for the X308, which is the Jaguar factory project code for your 2002 XJ8.

Along with the wheel balance clifton94 mentioned, it would be worth checking the front wheel bearings, the ball joints, the bolts that secure the power steering rack to the subframe, the subframe bushes and control arm bushes. You would think an alignment shop would have informed the previous owner of any obvious problems, but they may not have looked very hard.

Cheers,

Don

 

I'd start with a tire rotation first and see if it gets better. If not, then balance tires. While it's up in the air, I'd check the entire front end suspension components. With the front wheels off, I'd also check the subframe mounts. Occasionally I've come across a separated mount. Also check the 2 rear pivot mounts on the front subframe.