Hi all.

I’m thinking of replacing the front shock absorbers on my car but not sure what to go for. I would really like to keep the ride as it was intended. Thoughts would be much appreciated.

Rob.

 

Bilsteins with the squishy orange upper mount bushing will offer more controlled motions with no additional harshness. The upper bushings will be a maintenance item so order a few extra. If you use the black bushes that come with the shocks you will feel more harshness but they will last longer.

 

Boge shocks, whether front or rear, are the OEM brand and will give the orignal ride:
https://www.berkshirejagcomponents.c...r-boge-cac9089

GAZ adjustables are very good indeed and can be set easily while on the car to give the precise ride you like.
https://jagspares.co.uk/frt-shock-ad...s-cac9089-3gaz

 

Very happy with KYB; avoid Gabriel. Both on the lower price side. Gabriel are stiff and prone to seals creaking, I had 2 warranty replacements on one side, and a warranty replacement on the other before I just bought a set of KYB. I contacted Gabriel tech support and they were less than helpful. I bought them through Rock Auto and it is impossible to speak to anybody there. No experience with the higher price, adjustable brands.

 

Bilsteins and OEM springs all around in mine.

Firmer than the originals but less floaty which is what I wanted.

Still rides nicely.

 

Wow. Nice looking car, an d nice straight paint job. Much nicer looking than my POS with its previous owner respray and grungy wheels..

Doug

 

Thanks Doug, paint is original, car had one owner before me. 64k kms on it now.

 

IMO....

The original ride quality was a bit on the soft side so.....

Boge/Sachs or KYB would probably be to your liking. My experience is the the KYBs are softer than Boge/Sachs.....to the point where they barely qualify as being a shock absorber at all.

In my personal experience the Bilstein B6 series is undeniably firmer than original. I like it. You probably wouldn't. The Bilstein B4 series.....if they're still being offered for older Jags....might be OK for you. I've never tried 'em so I can't comment.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi all.

A question are new bottom bushes available for the shock absorbers. I can’t seem to find them.

Rob.

 

Rob
For the front shocks the bottom eye should need no other bush apart from what should be in the shock from the maker:

 

Hi Greg.

I know I have been on about changing the shocks but when rebuilding my brakes I noticed that on the shock on the n/s the bottom bush is worn to the point where there is a knock if you move the shock with your hands. After removing the shock the damping feels fine when tested on the bench. I’m not sure if theses are the original Boges from new if original they are now 35 years old and done 65k miles.

Rob

 

Hi all.

Ordered the Boges from SNG Barrett. Just been checking my cars history and found a receipt from September 2009 for a a set of front and rears Boges. I have the old MOTs and April 2009 shows 41294 miles. Mileage now is 62190 What do you guys think the lifespan of XJS shocks would be?

Rob

 

Rob,

IMO, decent shocks will last more than 20k miles even if that's over 15 years. Your issue may be, as you mentioned, a problem with the lower shock bush rather than the shock damping.

Paul

 

Hi Paul.

I did ask Barrett’s about the bushes and it seems you can’t get them in their own. The bush on the shock I took off is quite bad rattling around in the hole. Drivers side seems better though.

Rob

 

Rob,

It's maybe too late if you've already ordered new units, but I wondered if you could just source suitable poly eyebushes to fit to the original shocks?

Paul

 

Good decision to change them. Shocks do deteriorate. 15 years says time to renew!

 

Paul
A polybush should not be let anywhere near a pre-facelift XJS V12 if the famous Jaguar ride/handling combo is to be maintained!

 

Tks Greg!

Paul

 

I have an admission to make 🤣 I have poly bushes fitted to the top wishbones on my car. There is a reason in that I did put the std bushes on but they lasted less than a year. These were non genuine and basically crap. As the poly were fitted when I got the car I put them back on. I will see if I can get some genuine bushes and change the out again.

Rob

 

Actually, Robbo, poly in the top wishbone inner fulcrums does not matter that much, about the one place it doesn't. They are actuated at rightangles so the lack of absorption of the poly does not affect things that much! Not quite as perfct as OEM, but not worth bothering to change them until the polys give up, say I. The load is really borne by the bottom wishbones, where OEM Metalastiks are essential.

I confess to having poly top bushes on the front shocks... the compliance is not as good as the OEM rubber ones, but I got fed up with the OEM ones giving up!