Kitty's got a big photo shoot coming up on the 24th. Her front end sits about 1 1/2" higher above the wheel than her rear (which looks perfect-right at her wheel well). I'd like to get her evened out. Anyone have a mod for this that won't break the bank, or my patience. Thanx in advance!!!

 

You can use spacers bewteen the lower control arm and the spring pan, thus lowering the spring pan and dropping the front end. You'll need longer bolts, of course. I know it's been done this way but, personally, I wouldn't be 100% comfortable unless i was sure the spacers provided enough support for the longer bolts.

Have the springs ever been replaced on this car? If so, there might be too many spacers installed.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanx, Doug. The car is bone stock...Wondering where I would get the spacers (assuming 1"-1.5" spacer length) and the bolts?

 

You'd have to fabricate spacers.

As I recall the geometry is such that if you lower the spring pans .75" you'll lower the actual ride height by 1.25"-1.50". Something like that. You could experiment by just using spacer tubes (or even lots of washers) as spacers. When you have it where you want it, measure the amount the pan is lowered and fabricate some spacers the same thickness

Cheers
DD

 

Please pardon my ignorance, Doug. I am neither a mechanic nor a machinist, however I am understanding the concept. I haven't got the wheel off to have a detailed look, but: 1) will I need longer bolts, and 2) where do I get all this spacer stuff? ...The plumbing dept at a hardware store? Thanx!

 

For the temporary spacer tubes you need something like the spacers commonly seen to mount alternator and a/c compressors.

For the permanent spacers you have to fabricate something out of aluminum or something. It has to follow the contour of the spring pan...at least approximately

Lowering the spring pan can be dangerous. Have you ever done suspension work before?

Cheers
DD

 

As Doug says, mucking about with the suspension in this manner can be very dangerous.

The handling characteristics and component fail points can radically change leading to a big nasty.

If it is just for a photo shoot, a couple of sacks of cement on both front seats might do the trick.

Be careful.

 

The extent of my experience with suspension was on my motorcycles as a teenager, which was many moons ago...

At this stage in my life, I can not risk another "big nasty." Therefore, I will find a cement supplier near the shoot location and procure the required weight. Anyone know of a cement supplier near Malibu, CA?

I've seen lowering-spring kits for other vehicles so I'm wondering if there's a safer way to go, realizing of course, that it may be more costly...BTW, I don't mind her having a permanent even stance / poise...

 

How about a set of lowered springs off ebay King are a good brand here in Australia and with the strong $US

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Jaguar-XJS-XJ...item335bd9db2c

Do not cut the springs as this will affect the spring rate making the ride hash

 

That's a set of all-four. I'll be good with 30mm front only to match the current rear. I love Australia, but there's got to be a kit in the states somewhere. Thanx for the info!

 

Try the driven man these are a full set but surely they should have front only. If not I know VA Spiteri I spoke to him last week and I know they do front springs only. They are in Australia as well. Good luck

http://www.vicspiteri.com.au/

http://www.thedrivenman.com/jaguar/Springs.htm