Hi guys,
My 98 vdp has started to make a clunking sound from the front suspension over sharp bumps. It only comes from the front of the car. I suspect some bushings, but which ones...? Am I on the right path? I notice on the drivers side the bushing that is visible while the hood is up is starting to crumble, while the passenger side is fine. This leads me to believe that there are other parts besides these that need to be replaced to get rid of the noise.

What is usually the first part to go on these regarding the front suspension? The car has about 68000 miles.....
Thanks for your help in advance

 

The cheapest and first ones to be replaced are the front anti-roll bar bushes (sway bar). They cost 10-15 $ and takes half hour to be fitted,2 bolts each side; for the other front suspension parts it's going to cost you hours and hundreds.

 

Thanks, I'll try this first! You info is much appreciated, however, others are welcome to chime in too.....
Thanks again, and enjoy the ride....

 

How do you replace just the top bushing that is visible under the hood without replacing the whole part? Is it not possible to just take off the bolt, put a new bushing on, and put the bolt back on or am I totally off track?

 

I think you are talking about the top bush on the shock absorber, the ARB bush needs just a longer socket and a rag under the car.

 

The bushings you see in the engine bay are the top shock absorber mounts. Jaguar sells the mounting and the bushing as one part (a different one for each side of course) but there are some aftermarket suppliers of just the bushings themselves if you have the tools to remove the original bushing from the mount and press in the replacements. The OEM parts are quite expensive, but I had them replaced and that helped with noises I was getting. I later replaced the anti roll bar bushings and control arms. It is still a bit noisy but not as bad as it was.