Timing chain project is done and engine is running.
I ran engine without sc belt so I could hear any abnormal noises. Wich there wasn't any.

 

Took the compact car today so it would fit in the parking spaces.

Phil

 

Yesterday I drove the car after timing chain job. Looks like no leaks.

 

Replaced the drop links and steering tie rod joints because they were all trashed.
Car is at the shop today getting alignment done.

Phil

 

Car drives better now. Average economy on a trip to town fully loaded was previously 19 or so

When all the wheels are pointing the same way the economy improves. Make a note.
Car also now takes long sweeping curves without feeling squirmy. I think it needed the geometry setting. Money well spent.

Phil

 

Totally a compact car. I'll take mine next time I go to the narrow streets of a capital city in Europe .

 

Re balanced all four tires.

 

Sad thing is, when I have been driving my Dodge for a while the Jag feels so small and dainty...

I'm getting CHECK GAS CAP now, enough to trigger the check engine light. Annoying. I hit half a tire caracass late at night the other day, now it's got me wondering if it hit any of the evap pipework underneath the car.

Phil

 

Thanks to encouragement from @Jhartz and watching a Youtube video by a gent who goes by DIY Robert, I successfully replaced my broken left high beam on my ‘03 VDP today. After returning a right side headlight assembly incorrectly listed online as a left one from a yard in Kentucky, then getting the correct L assembly from NOMA in Texas (reasonable price, faster shipping than I expected), I plunged in.

Very short course is I used a couple of plastic upholstery tools in a set I had from somewhere, and sprayed some lubricant on the 3 ball-and-socket fixtures on the old Kaput light and the “new” one which I then removed from the “new” housing with the upholstry tools. I gently, very gently, extracted the old light after first removing the bulbs and their wiring. I tried to keep the light level with the attaching sockets as I pulled it out to lessen any angular stress on the final socket. I hit the 3 posts with the ball portion of the existing fixture with a quick burst of additional silicone lubricant, then gently, very gently pressed the “new” light into place. I took the chrome ring off both lights for the extraction and insertion, though I actually think it can be done with the ring left in place. Last step was carefully clean the two bulbs against the chance they picked up oil inside the engine bay. I used one of the alcohol-pads I use for injections I have to take.

Start to finish of actual work, not counting plotting and planning and extracting “new” unit from the whole assembly NOMA sent was maybe 10-15 minutes. I saved a bundle over what my Indy garage would have charged to pull the grill, remove the trim piece, then unbolt the light housing, and reverse the process.

I am curious if the high beam fixtures are identical L and R. I sent back the “wrong” housing on the assumption the beam pattern created by the reflector would be different one side to the other. The question came to me when I saw that the peanut bulb on both lights is left of center rather than being symmetrical, i.e. mirror images one to the other. Also, kudos to the folks at NOMA as my “new” part arrived with stickers showing the VIN of the 2001 xj8L from which the assembly was taken.

I now am left with a L side X308 headlamp assembly with a good low beam light and a now detached “old with cracked lens” high beam if anyone has the appropriate glass lens and wants to further contribute to my savings on this project!


On both assemblies I sprayed silicone lubricant into the gap visible here on the ball/socket plastic parts I could see and reach.

The tools I used: the bent pliers to help me squeeze the tabs on the two bulbs, the screwdriver for the chrome ring clip and the upholstery tools.

An illustration (with the old light out) of how I popped open tthe reachable top attachments from inside the hood. The bottom one came loose with steady pulling from below either with my finger or the larger of the two upholstry tools which had a good firm right angle in it.

The finished product. On occasion I amaze myself, with a little help from my friends!

 

Well done for not breaking any of the plastic clips. They are very very brittle.

The lens assembly is the same on both sides.

Phil

 

Took the 3rd high level brake light assembly out. Cleaned the RTV off the glass.
I've only got one of the light mount pads. I have no idea where the other one is.

Does anybody have a spare they're willing to part with? Failing that I'll just trim the extra bits off the panel and just 3M tape the whole thing to the glass

Phil

 

Philip, send a picture of the part you need.

My Vanden has terrible, noisy, jarring, suspension and is sagging.

Gonna replace rear shocks, shock bushings. Should I replace rear coil springs? Can they be measured or tested?

Also I'm gonna change front stabilizer rubber bar mounts and links, and rear subframe bushings.

Major surgery.

Anyone ever change front coil springs?

 

Yesterday it was wax off and wax on.

 

You will gain an inch after replacing coil bushings but it may not be enough to clear your sagging,
If it is sagging overly then your springs are gone, if bumpy then shocks and if you have a spare cash then replace both and enjoy the ride as new
You will need to manufacture special tool for front springs,good info here

 

Took her butt out into the sun and fresh air

 

Well done Daniel san

 

Jeff,

The piece I need is this, little metal clip that's normally glued to the rear glass:


The high level brake light clips to them.

Phil

 

 

6mm spring packers/shims are available new from JLRCP, part MNA3562BA.

 

Thanks xjack, , also for the info about the front spring. I have decisions to make.

If a coil spring is worn out will it compress? Does anyone know the length of a healthy rear spring?

Philip, I'll look through my misc. jag bits for that mount. (I removed the rear, high, light from 3 jags. I cant remember what I did with th

I hope all have a good Memorial Day weekend.

Jeff