Source for 88 HE springs

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Apr 15, 2009 | 04:35 PM

88_XJS_HE

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Source for 88 HE springs

First post. This looks like a good forum. I am planning on replacing the springs in an 88 XJS Convertible myself. This car has been in the family since new and has 21,000 miles on it. It has been mostly trouble free. I did a search and found one member that replaced the springs on his XJS along with most of the entire rear suspension. I would apreciate any advice on replacing all six of the springs and any recomendations on what else I should replace while I am there. I am considering having the shocks rebuilt or replacing them. Some bushings maybe? I found a coil spring set for the car for $200 but I am not sure if the HE convertible uses the same springs as the coupe. Thanks in advance.

P.S. The only other things wrong with the car that have caused a problem in the last year are the A/C and one window does not always go up or down correctly.

Apr 15, 2009 | 07:15 PM

JagtechOhio

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,521

Likes: 71

From: Powell, Ohio U.S.A. 43065

You can remove the rear shock and spring assemblies without much drama, and you will need a tool to compress the spring to remove the retaining collets. Any sort of McPherson strut spring compressor tool from the rental tool shelf at a local parts store will work.

The front springs are an entirely different story.

It can be done relatively easily with the factory tool or a fabricated substitute. It is extremely difficult to do without. The short expanation is that the corner weight of the car is not great enough to compress the free length of the spring to the extent that the spring pan can be refit. You jack up under the spring pan, and all you are doing is pushung the car towards the sky once the spring is partially compressed.

Apr 16, 2009 | 12:50 PM

88_XJS_HE

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Thanks JagTech, I apreciate the help.

I removed all the shocks this morning. It looks like the "fabricated" tool in question might be a realy long, big bolt with big washers and a nut that goes through the holes in the center of the pan and crossmember? I have a set of tiny spring compressors (for motorcycle springs) that I might be able to use to compress the spring and make it even easier. I will post if it works when I get the tool back from a friend.

Does anybody have any ability to compare the part numbers for the shocks and springs for an 88 Hess convertible XJS to a coupe? I am thinking of ordering the "OE Aftermarket" spring set and front Boge shocks and Sachs rear shocks from partsgeek.com. I just want to make sure the parts will be correct. Any forum sponsors I could support instead?

I could not find any part numbers on the springs.

The shocks that came off the car have the following part numbers:

F Boge 1-0161-36-301-1
R Boge 1-0160-36-300-1

Thanks

May 8, 2009 | 08:39 PM

88_XJS_HE

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Thanks for the help. I replaced the front springs and shocks, all four ball joints and the sway bar end link bushings. I have also replaced the springs and shocks on one of the rears, so only one corner left to go. I ended up using my floor jack, two motorcycle spring compressors, one big C clamp and two 8 inch long 3/8" bolts with nuts to do the front springs.

I purchased the parts from Jagbits. Great service and price.