I have a 1996 XJS Convertible with AJ16 engine.

Getting through my list of things to do on the car and I wanted to replace the radius arm bushings on the car.

Will I need to remove the rear shocks to this? Does that mean I need to build a spring compressor?

 

Nope. The radius arms are bolted to the lower wishbone and body. You can undo both ends as are... And even if, the rear doesn't need spring compressors to remove the spring/shock assemblies.

 

You do have to undo the nut on the forward end of the pin that attaches the lower end of the shockers to the lower wishbone, and then knock the pin rearward just enough to let you get at the special bolt on the small, rearward, end of the radius arm, and then to withdraw that bolt to free the radius arm that end. This means the forwardmost shock will dangle in the air at the bottom, but the pin is easily reinserted in the bottom eye of the shocker when you have finished.
Pic attached.
Greg

 

So I can change the rear shocks without compressing the springs? That's great. I had no idea. For some reason I thought I needed to deal with the springs to get to the rear shocks!

 

Different question, Vee; the answer to which is No. To change the rear shocks you have to remove the springs from them and the shocks from the car. The good news is that each spring is not that strong and is quite easily compressed with a clamp-type compressor each side.
Greg