Having completed the interior of my '85 XJS, I am now focused on refurbishing the front and rear suspension on the car.
Today, I purchased all the required bushings (most of them are Metallastic) from SNG Barratt. (so they say)
I also purchased Lemforder Ball Joints and cradle mounts. Shocks? I will decide within the next couple of days. (BOGE) or maybe something cheaper.
I will also be in the "while I am at it" mode depending on the minister of finance lol




.
Will be spending the next 2 weeks working on this project.
I will also be moving the fuel pump and filter to the underside of the car.

 

Sanchez,

Good luck with the work. Let us all know how you're doing.

Just one thought: It's difficult to see in the photo, but where are you supporting the front end with those axle stands? It seems to be further forward than the subframe? You haven't put them under the brace bracket under the radiator, have you? If so, you really need to move them straight away as that brace is not structural and will collapse. Get them under the proper front jacking points or else under the subframe. My apols if I've misread the pics.

Cheers

Paul.

 

@ptjs1: the jackstands are located under the front subframe mounts, the round section where the "six-shooter" (this term is courtesy of Doug) bushings go. The towing eyes are also located there, so the jackstands fit nice and snug.
Front springs are now out. My version of the spring compression tool can be seen in picture #3 and #4. Will start front disassembly today for clean up. Parts should be in my hands tomorrow.
Additional stuff to attend to: Transmission pan leak and driveshaft u-joints inspection. The more I look, the more I see.
I am also going to pull the front hubs to clean, inspect and service or replace any part that looks questionable.

 

Make sure they are actual Lemforders. I ordered from Rock Auto and they initially sent knockoffs.

They should come in a Lemforder box and have the owl stamp...





I went with Bilsteins and happy with performance so far...

 

SNG Barratt had other ball joints as well. I specifically ordered the Lemforders.

 

Did you get bottom ball joints too? There's a sealed version which is nice and easy, they're officially XJ40 parts, but are compatible.

 

I'll be watching. My car runs really well but needs the suspension freshened up. I keep making excuses to put it off. It's a new year It's either fix it or sell it. Or just keep putting it off.

 

Seems to me that the upper and lower ball joints are OEM. Maybe they were never replaced since 1985 or replaced at a later date with OEM parts.

Upper ball joint passenger side. OEM. Note all shims are located to the front side of the ball joint

OEM Lower ball joint

Lower ball joint and sleeve removed
All of the parts purchased from SNG Barratt came in yesterday.
My car has a GM EFI engine so in addition to dropping the steering rack, I have to drop the exhaust pipes to remove the fulcrum shaft for the lower control arm bushings on both sides.
I have been soaking them with PB Blaster for the last 4 days so I am hoping that they will come out easily. Just in case they are frozen in place, and I have to cut them to remove the lower arm, I ordered 2 new fulcrum shafts.
Will post some pics as I go along.
On the topic of the upper ball joints, the left side was replaced with an aftermarket joint and the shims are placed 2 on each side of the upper ball joint.
On the right side, the pic shows all 4 shims on one side.
How should I do it on reassembly?

 

The shims control the castor angle, so you can't be sure until you get an alignment. Having said that, two on each side is probably a good starting point, but there's no knowing. Mine were evenly distributed on one side and 3-1 on the other.

 

Yes, two each side is the what to start with. Unless something is bent, that will be fine.

 

UPDATE: I was able to remove and replace the lower control arm bushings with 2 new Fulcrum shafts. The passenger side was frozen so I cut it out. With the steering rack out, I still had to drop the exhaust pipes to install the new shafts.(the hardest part of the job is done). New Lemforder Ball Joints installed.
Today, I will be doing the upper control arm bushings, new upper Ball joints( I will put 2 shims each side and see what gives) and re-install the front springs.
TO DO:
* New steering rack bushings
*New Tie rod ends
*New Sta-Bar rubbers
*New Front Shocks. I have a pair of KYBs. (I hear it gives a harsher ride so if I don't like them I will replace at a later date).
REAR:
*New rear cradle mounts (4)
* Radius Arm Bushings
* Replace Diff Oil
*Replace rear Brake pads
*Inspect and service u-joints
* Move fuel pump and fuel filter from trunk to underside of car. ?????
* Any questionable things I see while I am in the process of working on the rear.
Will post some pics later today.

 

Sanchez,

When you're looking at the radius arms, take the opportunity to tap them in a few places with a screwdriver and see if you get a clear tone. They are prone to rusting from the inside out and can look superficially good from the outside.

Good luck

Paul

 

Thanks. Even though my car was totally rust free, I will check the radius arms upon removal. I have to take them to a machine shop to R&R the bushings. That will probably be next week's work. I am hoping to complete the front suspension this weekend. I will pressure wash the rear underside before I commence any work there.