Inspection of my new 90 XJS Convert revealed this...cracked hubs. I saw the bent strut and thought it may have been the cause; but the other side is cracked as well...not as much, but still it's a crack! Can they be welded in place without destroying the seals? (Probably Not I'd guess.)
I'm not comfortable with it but is it something I must rectify?

 

Welded probably, but sourcing a used rear end isn't too difficult, and if you find a whole unit you could have it serviced with new seals shocks brake pads etc then drop it in.

It wouldnt hurt to get a quote from a mobile welding guy, even at $100/hr it would be done in 10mins. Good enough until you find replacements.

 

You cannot weld that casting and it be strong enough, IMO. Second had hub carriers are everywhere and are not expensive; be safe not sorry, say I.

 

It's a 90 so probably has ABS, if you do replace the hubs make sure you get the correct ones. Also XJ40 hubs can be adapted to fit and are stronger with additional webbing.

You could TIG weld them and have additional X brace added. Talk to a shop that repair mag wheels they may be able to weld them. The biggest issue would be warping.

 

I called a Jag specialty salvage yard in Sarasota Florida about some hubs. They wanted $175 each side! But on Craigslist, I found a 90 coupe, 86K miles, in Jacksonville 2 hours away. The owner pulled the wheels off and verified the hubs were good, so I purchased the car for $700 in hopes I could use some other parts. Well I got lucky. It also has a serviceable exhaust system (from what I can tell so far); my resonators, over axle pipes and rear mufflers are shot. But the big surprise that I'm ecstatic about; in the boot was a shot fuel injector harness with broken connectors and fragile wires; and on the engine; A New Factory Harness...WAHOOOO. It has the lower front inner wheel well plastic splash guards; mine are missing, an A/C vent to replace a broken one: I've id'd numerous others bits that I need, not to mention spares for computers, HVAC, engine accesories, ABS components, etc. It also has the "Factory" side molding, metal channeling with finishers/end caps etc; mine is just a dealer add on rubber strip that does not live up to Jaguar's standard. The body has a good bonnet, 1 wing, doors...so if anyone needs some parts, send me your request. A sacrifical donor for my new beauty.

 

Actually all the side rub strips were dealer add ons, the cars didn't leave the factory with them.

 

I modified an XJ40 centre vent to fit. Required a bit of cut and shut to fit but does a much better job now both vents move without the silly straight centre bit.

 

Can I buy your exhaust manifolds? Whats the interior colour to? And the boot? Post pics!

 

It's still on the trailer and I can't open the doors but a few inches at present. It's the tan or beige interior color. The boot carpeting is not very nice, and it's missing the panel/piece that covers the gas tank...I have to assess the exhaust once I get it on the lift. I've seen lots of exhaust manifolds on Ebay and Criagslist; but they may be for earlier none catalytic cars.

 

The late facelift cars have that style vent.

 

I'll sell you the exhaust manifolds off of mine? my car is an 89" 5.3 V12 and has the honeycomb in the manifolds. Which I'm curious, if this was part of the catalyst, or what it actually was there for? The shipping would be about the same from Arkansas as it would be Florida. I would guess.

Jack

 

Can you post a picture? Id want a nice set to recondition, sand blast and coat with the thermal stuff. I'd imagine the honeycomb isnt a permenant structure and could be knocked out with a crowbar.

 

I just realized you are speaking of the Cast Iron Manifolds, and not the "Head Pipes" (which have the honeycomb) which bolt to the Manifolds. I have no clue as to why I was thinking of the Head Pipes? but I was. The Manifolds I have are on the motor, and it's still in the car, as I haven't got around to pulling it yet. It's for sale, and I wanted to be able to show the Potential buyer it runs. Sorry for the mistake, I'll still sell them, just hope you're not in a hurry?

Jack

 

No hurry, I have to get a different set of non-cat downpipes anyway, the plan was to send the whole exhaust system to a shop to be thermal coated and then installed otherwise I'd be pulling my exhaust parts off and then waiting weeks without a car to drive.

 

Gotcha I'll let you know when i get it out and I'll send some pics then.

Jack

 

VancouverXJ6, glad Jagcobra could help you with the manifolds. I haven't even gotten the rear brakes on the Convert done yet; let alone placing the parts car on the lift to get the good hubs off. It will be ages before I can even think about removing engine parts of the parts car.

 

is the cracking in the rear hubs frequent? I had never seen them crack like this in the flat part of the arm.

What causes this cracking?

Would not recommend welding since you are dealing with a suspension component that has no back up, ie, it breaks and the wheel assembly will beat the crap out of the rear quarter panel and the fender well.

This will be a disaster on a unibody vehicle.