I just got my 1995 XJS coupe back from the shop, where they replaced the front upper and lower ball joints, subframe mounts, control arm bushings, did a full alignment and replaced a seized tie rod. It cost a ton, but the steering is now linear, communicative and precise! Before, it was pretty dodgy at highway speed. I wish I'd done this months ago!

I still need to replace all of the shocks. I bought OEM Boges for the front and it looks like they'll be pretty easy to replace.

Question: would these rear shocks be a good choice: Rear Struts Springs Shocks Bilstein Jaguar XJS 1995 95 | eBay

I'm interested in these because I wouldn't have to buy a spring compressor, but if I'm not mistaken, they're from a Sportpack convertible. How would those compare to the OEM shocks?

 

IMO forget second hand shocks. A set of OEM Boges all round will give you a great ride and very good handling. Once the shocks are off, the springs are easy to compress with a cheap compressor set such as:

Pair 10" Coil Spring Compressor Strut Suspension Shock Absorber Auto Tool | eBay

Greg

 

I agree with Greg, big gamble to buy 20 year old shocks springs.

Also putting the stiffer springs and shocks from a sports pack car on the back with regular springs/shocks in front is probably not a good idea. It may provide quite odd handling/ride characteristics.

 

Hmm, good point, Allan. Thank you.
Greg, have you used a spring compressor like that before? Are they pretty safe?

 

I'm not Greg but have used that type of compressor and they are very easy to use and safe. The rears are very easy to compress/decompress.

 

Agree 100%. Absolute cinch. Not dangerous, as each individual spring is not that strong. Front springs a very different matter, though.

Greg

 

Thanks, Greg and Allan!

 

EastRando, I am thinking of doing the same for my 95 Coupe here in MD. Do you mind sharing where you obtained the parts for the front upper and lower ball joints and what material the subframe mounts and control arm bushings were. Poly or rubber? I was also going to replace the upper shock bushings and tie rod ends.

Also, when you say it cost a ton could you give me a ball park figure?

I am thinking of going with Bilstien shocks. I currently have 10 year old KYB shocks.

 

Macudc, I got the ball joints, subframe mounts and control arm bushings replaced at a nearby shop, London Auto Service, so I don't know where they got the parts or whether they used poly or rubber. I got the Boge front shocks from Ebay, which usually has a good selection of parts. All said, including the ball joints, subframe mounts, control arm bushings, replacement tie rod in the steering rack, and a replacement hood latch, it was about $3,000.