About to fit front Gaz shocks it comes with top mounts but is that all that's needed? Or do I need the cup washers from the old set no. 6 in diagram

 

That will depend on the profile of the gaz bushes. There needs to be some means (usually a step down in diameter) of keeping the top bushes centred on the body mounting hole so the damper shaft cannot move and contact body.

 

The came with everything when I bought them, but keep the old pieces just in case! I used poly bushes well greased up with graphite grease the last time I chnaged the shocks..

 

By the way, start the GAZ fronts on 13 clicks up from the softest, and ensure you place them so the adjuster is INWARDS facing, then you can adjust them on-car!

 

I have them on 3 at the moment, thought it was a bit soft hence my query adout top bush. 😁😁

 

I wonder if GAZ has changed their settings. I have zero suspension at 13 clicks as the dampers are simply stiff as a steel bar. I’m at 4 clicks from softest with dampers purchased late 2019. I did by the way find the source of front right squeaks yesterday: it came from the damper, and going to fully soft and back to 4 clicks fixed it ( for now…)

 

I reckon you are right, either they have changed the settings, or someone sold you a non XJS shock!

 

According to the dyno report delivered with them, they are GAZ GT6-2108, which according to Google should be the right type for XJ6, XJ12 and XJS. I can see they have 36 steps, so I agree it would be normal to be somewhere in the middle…

 

Put them on 13 and it's about what I wanted.