I drive a 2002 XJ (8) Sport which currently has @ 90,000 miles on it. I just took it in for a major service which included among other things replacing the lower front shock bushings. The mechanic (dealer) could not find anything else wrong yet the knocking (at low speeds over bumps etc.) is still there; no better no worse. Appreciate any advice as to the likely culprit rather than stripping the whole thing down myself i.e. wishbone bushes, control arm/ball joing etc. I am fairly handy with a spanner so the work is not the issue; just hoping to save some wasted time by checking the most likely first. Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Michael

 

Could be the sway bar bushings. They are pretty easy. Sometimes the drop links get corroded too, but your's aren't very old. You can check the upper front shock bushings, but they are pretty obvious by looking at them. It is in the front, correct ? Although the mechanic probably did this, you could jack each wheel up and try wobbling it top to bottom and left to right. The wheel bearings don't last real long on these cars, but you should have other symptoms if a wheel bearing is going bad.

 

+1 on the sway bar bushings...common on XJs and XKs. 99% sure!

You can do it yourself, if you have time and patience. $10 each side from dealer. I did a writeup in the XK8 forum area.

 

+2

My 99 XJ8 with 133k on the odometer had the "Klunk". Bought 2 bushings from the Jag Dealer for $13.00 each. That solved the problem.

 

I had a similar problem. Replacing the upper shock mounts seemed to do the trick.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions but mostly for the warm welcome. I finally had a chance to use a lift and get a proper look at the suspension; armed with a pry bar I found out the problem is the lower ball joints. Jaguar being Jaguar the dealer tried to sell me the ball joint and the lower wishbone arm as a unit @ €292 each; found the same part at www.britishparts.co.uk for €77...worth a look in general. Thanks again.

Cheers

Michael