As I already had Nix jacked up, and as husband had already found that post regarding short-life bushings, I decided to inspect the front suspension bushings we installed in 2015, just a little over 5 years ago.

There are no adequate words in the English language to describe my frustration, anger and disappointment. But Seething Fury comes close! I've already worked off Towering Rage by this time.

Apparently, we got a batch of European bushings, because, what should have lasted another 40 years is TRASH in 5!

Just Feast your eyes on the lower Fulcrum bushings:



The rubber is nearly GONE! Both sides are like this!
Although the Uppers don't look this bad, now I can't trust them!
Nor, for that matter, any of the other rubber parts we installed in 2015!

So, it's Drop the front suspension, AGAIN!!
This time, Poly bushings are going in, no matter if they do give harsher ride, because I do NOT want to do this in another few years!

I am SO ticked!
I am so far beyond ticked I can't even see back to where ticked was!

 

Hi LnrB,
I feel some of your pain & aggravation ! The new upper ball joints I installed about 3 months ago before starting on the IRS overhaul split their boots while just setting up on jack stands. I had just finished re-installing the IRS and was looking everything else over before installing the exhaust system when I saw that they had self-destructed without ever hitting the ground. I used alot of not safe for work phrases ! They came as part of a suspension kit from one of the main Jag parts suppliers, so I thought they would be okay. I replaced them with Lemforder and will keep a close eye on the new lowers as well as the rubber bits that came with the kit after seeing your trouble.

Condolences,
Brian

 

BUGGA.

Hunt around Elinor.

Genuine Metalastik are getting harder to find, as they no londer make them. The usual supply and demand rubbish. They are out there, just DEMAND Metalastik Brand.

Let the words flow, it really does help.

 

Here's a picture of the crap ball joint with split boot next to the good Lemforders for anyone who needs it.



Cheers,
Brian

 

LNR
I had exactly that problem on my XJS, using Aftemarket parts from a well known specialist, mine went home in about 5 weeks. Genuine Metalastik ones are 100% essential. They are NLA at Jaguar Parts, but they are about still on ebay (part C8673) and if you contact Jack Weston at David Manners, I am pretty sure they still have some. I think that these are the Metalastik ones, but ring to be sure:
https://www.jagspares.co.uk/product/...2%2b3/c8673%23
I think it is worth trying to get them. Polys will transmit substantially more noise and vibration and also adversely affect the ride.
This is a pic of mine! As with the rears you have just fitted, it is essential the car is on its wheels with the suspension at normal height before the bushes are tightened up. (apologies if you already knew this).

 

Holy crap Elinor, I'm pretty sure you didn't deserve that. I used poly bushes all around with the exception of the big trailing arm bush in the rear. I like a firm ride, and since I have never ridden in a Jaguar, I won't have a ride comparison issue. Here is the brand/number of what I used in the front. Pics to go along.

Dave
Prothane 11-45030 Front Upper Inner Bushing Kit

 

Thank you so much, Guys, for the condolences, AND for the links!
To say things were a little Tense here yesterday is an Understatement of Galactic proportions!
There was One Angry Red Head on the loose and husband ran and hid.
It was Ginger Snaps!

Husband's job today is to locate some PROPER bushings. He's very good at locating things, so I usually don't even bother, I just tell him what I need and leave him to it.
(';')

 

So angry you had flames on the side of your face ?


Cheers
DD

 

After an exhaustive and exhausting search, husband has been forced to order Poly bushings like Dave has installed, from Summit Racing. These are the Only bushings he could find on the World Wide Web! And they are on Close-out! so he got a full set of Upper and Lower.

He mentioned he found Many Xj6's for sale Cheap in his Cyber travels today, and this very issue may cause Hundreds if not Thousands to be sent to wrecking yards for lack of good parts. I'm missing a Lot of the usual Xj6's I used to see on the road, and I'm suspecting this is why.

I have just tried for 45 minutes to place an order to Dave Manners, who lists these, but they Insist on shipping to GB and I'm not allowed to specify USA even though the Logo brags about world wide shipping. So I concede defeat. As it's a British firm anyway, they may be required to sell exactly the trash rubber I'm replacing as they are not labeled Metalastic.

Husband was so mean today, he said, "It's well establish you were Ticked yesterday. The whole World knew you were ticked." He's so Mean!
(';')

 

LNR
Ring up Jack Weston and talk to him. Their website is a joke at the moment, but I know they ship everywhere. Direct number dialling from you is: 0044 121 543 1629. You could mention Greg gave you the number. His direct email is:
Jack.Weston AT davidmanners.co.uk

 

Funny you should mention that , my s3 is currently in for a minor panel repair due to some careless stupidity from yours truly.

Apparently there are no s3 front bumpers to be had in Australia atm. We had to go old school with actual metal work and rechroming.

My car has poly bushes, I have no clue how it rides compared to stock, but it doesnt feel unusually harsh to my seat of pants-o-meter.

It does like to squeak when it been on a lift that lets the wheel hang to full travel, but is gets over in on the drive home (90min)

 

I feel your pain - this is the annoyance any of us deal with concerning reproduction parts on any British car in that the majority of reproduction parts are crap. The shock boots on my TR7 disintegrated after just two years and the "new" water pump (anyone who's dealt with the water pump on a TR7 knows what a pain they are to change) lasted exactly 13 months whereas the original lasted 40 years. The annoyance is greater when one depends on the car as a daily driver (the Seven and Blue Six share work commute duties).

I've not had the issues on my S3 that many have had since I try to repair or replace parts with NOS or good used ones. The alignment guy told me my front suspension was in good shape (before he told me he could only set the toe) but at 36 years and 170K miles I'm not sure I believe him. The bushings look okay but I'm not sure about the ball joints - which I'm considering replacing.

 

https://energysuspension.com/chassis-bushings

 

I'll just offer one more thing that should not escape those of you replacing ball joints, tie rod ends, or any pre-greased joint/bearing. They are not greased well enough to install straight out of the box, in my opinion. Pic of a ball joint. Get a pointed tip attachment for your grease gun and add more of the slippery stuff under the boot. For joints that have sealed boots, a very slim needle (just like a large-ish medical needle) can be found in the Lincoln brand grease gun display in most industrial hardware stores. The needle can be slipped down along side the stud without damaging anything.

Dave

 

I used all poly bushes when I did my front end in 2014. Couldn’t compare it to how it was except all the rattles and clunks went away.

 

I think you need to invest in a wire twister to properly secure the caliper bolts. https://shop.snapon.com/categories/Safety-Wiring/629073

 

Yes! That is an embarrassing portion of the picture. When I rebuilt the IRS I knew it was time to step up a little, so I bought wire twister pliers from the local aircraft parts place. Also picked up a couple sizes of safety wire, I plan to re-wire those front brakes when I push the car back in the garage.

Dave