I believe I read somewhere that a special tool is required to set the suspension before an alignment can be done. Is this necessary or is there a workaround?

 

This has been debated many, many times over the years.

If you want the wheels to be aligned exactly as Jaguar intended you'll need the tools that hold the suspension at the exact height Jaguar specifies.

Does it make a difference? I dunno. I've never come across anyone who has done it one way and then turned around and did it the other way just to see what happens.

I never used the suspension setting links on my XJS or Ser III XJ6. Both cars drove very well, never displayed any odd steering/handling/stability characteristics, and never had a tire wear problem.

Would they have behaved even better had the links been used? I'll never know.

(The shop manual for my X300 makes one mention of using suspension setting links but, unlike manuals for the older Jags, gives no tool number or illustration. It does, however, say that ride height must be measured and be within x-y-z range before an alignment is performed.)

Many alignment shops will not touch the car without using the special tools....which are Jaguar unique and therefore not something you just go out and buy. I'm lucky enough to have a shop that'll do what I ask without grumbling which, in this case, means "Just do the alignment as she sits right now and don't worry about the tools".

The shop manuals have pics and specs for making up the tools. Wouldn't be all that hard, I reckon.

Cheers
DD

 

Not to hijack, but after only 8000 miles my front tires have pretty extreme inner wear.

Are the "normal" methods of alignment capable of fixing this or should I need special tools or shims to get it fixed?

 

Extreme wear in 8000 miles suggests a significant alignment problem. Something is glaringly outta whack either from an inaccurate alignment job or, quite possibly, some worn suspension/steering parts.

Have your alignment checked. Whatever adjustment is off (toe-in, most likely) will be obvious. IOW, beyond the subtle difference between an alignment with the Jag tools versus without the Jag tools.

From my experience normal tire wear is entirely possible without the use of the Jag-specific suspension setting tools.

Cheers
DD

 

The tools to set ride height are used to set the alignment at a mid position in the suspension travel. Wheel alignment changes from bump to rebound. So if you were to set the alignment at the extreme of suspension compression when the car lifts the camber would be way to positive.

I believe as long as the car is at ride height with all fluids and driver/passenger, it will be fine. Do not load the car for a long trip so it is sitting low and then align it.