Hello everyone,

I just visited the mechanic and I have been told that the 4 rear shocks are in bad shape and need to be replaced, which will cost me around $2,000.

The car has 56.000 miles. The front shocks are fine. How is it possible that the rear shocks are in bad shapes? I would think I would need to change the front before the rear.

I want some advice before I empty my wallet to fix this car.

PS. I use this car as my daily automobile. In about 3 years I put 20000 miles on it.

Gin

 

It's possible that 17 year old shocks are faulty, yes.

Ask your mechanic *why* he is suggesting they be replaced. Leaking? Weak/worn? Broken?

Are you experiencing a driving problem, or hearing a clunking sound?

A bit more info, please

The $2000 quote seems excessive to me, by the way.

Cheers
DD

 

They are worn down.

I am not hearing any noises while driving.

The reason why I took the care in is because it pulls on the right side.

They said I need to replace the steering rack which is leaking liquid (although I never saw it on the ground). I also need to repack the front wheel bearings.

I took the car to the dealership that is probably why it is so expensive. There is nobody in town who does Jaguars so I had to drive 3 hours to get it even checked out.

Thanks,

Gin

 

Plausible, considering the age



The "could be" list for a pulling problem is long....and it might not be a single fault but, rather, a stack-up of faults.

Worn rear shocks wouldn't be high on my list for a pulling problem but replacement wouldn't be a bad idea, either




Again, perfectly plausible



You're looking at quite a bit of work ($$$$). Despite the inconvenience it might be worth your while to seek out a second opinion and/or better pricing.

Cheers
DD

 

Sounds very expensive to me!!

First front wheels bearings should be regularly checked/repacked. It's an easy job to do yourself or take to any mechanic. They don't have to be a Jag specialist to do it as there is nothing special or unusual about the design.

If your only problem is the car pulling to one side, have you gone to a local shop that does alignments? Again they don't have to be Jag specialists and an alignment could solve your problems. An extra benefit is that good alignment shops will also inspect for worn bushings etc that might also be a cause of your problem.

Rear shocks would not be high on my list of probables. If you are not have any ride issues like harshness over bumps, banging noises from the rear etc and there is no sign of leakage I would question the diagnosis.

Steering rack seals do leak, but make sure the problem is not a leaky hose which also happen and are easy to fix.

 

DEFINITELY take it to another shop for a second opinion.

There is nothing special, or unusual about this car that another mechanic could not do...especially since you're telling them exactly what you want them to look at.

Find an honest, reliable mechanic and ask him to review that list on your car.

 

I feel like I should chime in here..although it will probably shame me on the forum forever. I took my 95 Jag to Pep Boys to have the rear shocks replaced. There, I said it! Whew. Big weight lifting. Anyhoo.. they charged about $525 and I think they did an excellent job. This was at the beginning of the summer and I have been enjoying the much smoother ride ever since.

 

and now that I think about it, the $525 included a coolant system flush, which I think was $79, so it was actually about $450. Just so you know.

 

Thank you so much. That makes me feel better (well minus the fact that I was about to get ripped off).

I am not getting the rear shocks replaced, just the repack and bearings.

I got the bushings done in 2011.

If you all know of a honest mechanic in Tallahassee, FL let me know, Thanks Gin

 

You could try a set of Sen Sen for $120 the set.
Jaguar XJ6 XJ12 XJS Replacement Shocks Struts Rear Set | eBay.

I know they are not Koni or Boge, but are still much better than work out originals.

I have a set, takes about 3-4 hours to remove and install.
Need a good spring compressor if you are a DIYer.

 

Shocks and coolant service are kind of "consumables", like tires, mufflers, oil, batteries, etc. There's nothing wrong with having Pep Boys doing it if you feel confident with them from good past services, especially when you get the benefit of prices without exagerated mark ups. What's important is for the replacement item/service to work as it should.

Cheers,

 

The fact that the XJS has two shocks on each side on the rear would make me question greatly that the pull has anything to do with the rear shocks. Are you getting a pull to the right just when braking or all the time when driving? If it is when braking you most likely have a brake related issue and if all the time most likely a alignment issue. Not to sound cynical but if you are not seeing power steering fluid on the ground you probably have normal seepage from age. Is the power steering fluid level dropping in the reservoir ? The Jaguar service dept. needs to stop treating customers like they are made of gold -just my 2 cents but come on 2 grand for rear shocks-really. Just for a good laugh ask them how much to replace the transmission.

 

Ginger Ale, Be aware that the '96 XJS does not take the same shock as a '94 or earlier. I used Boge which cost about $300 for four. The Monroe shocks on E bay will not fit although the ad says they are for all XJS. Installing them yourself is doable for a DIY person but you will need a good spring compressor and to take some care because the springs are quite strong and can hurt you if they come loose.
The other advice here is good. Someone is really trying to rip you off.
Cheers, RagJag

 

In September I brought my 1994 XJS 30,000 mi. in for service. When I would break, I noticed my steering wheel would turn a bit to the right, and the car would pull to the right. It had going nuts? It turned out the mechanic told me that both of my front shock upper mounts were broken. They had cracked. They told me they have seen it many times before on Jags. The car has never been abused. They told me that age and non use makes the mounts brittle. They replaced them and its like a new car. They realigned the steering and rebalanced the tires. $590.00 Ginger may have a similar situation.

 

Bluesurf,

By upper front shock mounts do you mean the two bushes that are on top of each shock either side of the inner wheel arch? They are a yellowish/orange rubbery foam material? These parts do disintegrate over time and usually announce themselves with banging sounds from the front suspension. If so I'm sorry but $590 to replace those is highway robbery!! The bushes only cost about $7 each and it takes less than an hour to do both even for a slowpoke like me I know as I just did them on my XJ6 this weekend. I'm not sure what else would 'crack' on the upper front shocks?

 

My front bushings were replaced last year at a Jaguar dealership for, if I remember, around $120... Dealerships have to make money. Lol. I also had my tires rebalanced and the XJS aligned for $120 at a very reputable tire shop.. I think they said the front toe was off... It was pulling right and the steering wheel was a little off center... Now the XJS drives perfect for $240 total... Knock on wood. Lol. I also plan on doing the coolant myself every year...

 

I would start with rotating the tires front to back and see if the pull changes or disappears. Any shop can do it for under $50.

 

[QUOTE=LuvmyXJS';863459] Are you getting a pull to the right just when braking or all the time when driving?

I am getting pulled on the right side mostly when I drive on unleveled pavement, like a road that has depressions. That really makes it really difficult to drive the car. Wind, speed will do the trick too but not as bad as driving on bad roads.

 

Ginger Ale,

I have a 1995 and I can tell you it just feels different to me on rough roads. I drive on a freeway section that has some ruts from tire wear on the surface of the road and the XJS just behaves or feels different to me. Some times it feels like it is pulling etc. I say this because I have driven many kinds of cars over this section of the freeway and my XJS behaves different then the other vehicles. I have had my tie rods checked as I have heard that this can be a issue on these cars but they seem to check ok.

I would push down on each corner of your car and see how it responds but I would bet you will find that your shocks are not soft at the mileage you have. You probably have normal seepage on the rear shock casings ( when I say normal I mean some grime build up on the casings from 50K miles of driving) and so the Jag. dealer is saying you need rear shocks.

Just wanted to share this with you as what you may be feeling is some what normal for this car. Now, I can already hear the responses coming after this opinion about how these cars are made for high speed driving etc. but simply put my 1995 XJS with the 4.0 L just feels different on certain types of roads and does not behave the way I would have anticipated. This may not be the case with the V-12 extra weight or with different set ups over the years with the factory suspensions but it is something I have noticed with the 1995 4.0 so I know the 1996 would feel the same.

 

I second that. My 95 behaves just like what Luvingmyxjs just described.

I bet your problem is the shock bushings. They turn to dust.