Can a do it yourselfer replace 4 rear shocks on 1994 XJS? Any thing to look out for? If so, any brand recommendation.

 

If you can find the shocks with the springs as an integrated unit, it should be relatively easy and straightforward. If you have to deal with springs and shocks separately it gets less DIY friendly and a much higher danger factor.

 

Thanks for reply. I am reading about widow makers. I will leave it to my mechanic

 

Rchuda,

If you're replacing the shocks, you want to think about whether it's also time to replace the springs? If you do, be careful to et good quality springs as many aftermarket ones are rubbish and it van be difficult to get your ride height correct. You may wish to consider adjustable height shock units such as the Gaz ones. As mentioned, if you're replacing springs and shocks together, it's perfectly feasible to do it yourself.

Cheers

Paul

 

When I replaced my rear shocks & springs as part of the IRS cage redo, I was able to purchase them as assembled units from Welsh Enterprises:

https://www.welshent.com/Steering-an...dhead-Set-of-4

After speaking with Welsh, I discovered that these are as close to OEM as you can get because Woodhead took over the factory that originally made the springs for Jaguar. Once the springs settled, the ride height was perfect. With these it is a DIY job (sorry I didn't post this sooner, but it took a while to remember where I got them).

Cheers

 

It is a simple job. Just make sure you have a spring compressor that fits the springs. I had to buy a 2nd set of compressors as the ones I have used for years(on other cars) were too big for the jag.

 

Many shops with a spring compressor will replace the springs (for a charge) if you supply the old shocks (spring attached) and new shocks.

 

Be careful buying new shocks with new springs.
There are many reports of folks being not happy with the spring rates not being correct.
I experienced this once myself, I bought an XJ and the previous owner had put new rear spring/shocks on, and the ride was TERRIBLE! Far too hard, ruined the Jag magic carpet ride.
I suggest new shocks in the original springs.

Rob

 

You raise a good point. I have always regarded shocks as a wear item, but I have no idea how long springs 'should' last and I'm not sure how to recognize they need replacement - is it just sag, or something else? 70K miles and 31 years old.

 

They will be fine. I completely agree with Robert.

 

Sometimes they sag. Sometimes, less often, they break. Sometimes they last virtually forever.

I'm firmly in the "don't replace 'em without good reason" camp. There are just too many stories of incorrect ride height after replacement.

Cheers
DD

 

In support Doug I will add that if you are going to replace rear springs then replacement of the front should be done too to help deal with ride height issues. It isn't so much the spring length as its rate as in how much it compresses for a given weight vs length. I'm not sure if anyone actually knows the appropriate rates with any certainty given the suspension geometry in use though I'm sure with enough commitment it could be calculated. Even if it were calculated finding something with the appropriate free length, inner and outer diameter, and coil dimensions would be no fun at all. I don't even think measuring the 'wire' thickness helps because behaviour will change with material and the number of active coils.

The last thing you want is a different behaviour front to rear, that's a recipe for finding the ditch or worse.

My advice to anyone is to change all 6 springs or non at all unless a broken one gives you no choice.

Me I put Eibach 'Fast Road' from Simply Performance all round - and that might have been a mistake those suckers are stiff !! - I'll provide feedback once I get the thing mobile again. (I cheated on the rears because they came with adjustable Spax dampers and were assembled for me)

I found this and thought it may help expose the pitfalls with selecting springs - and how fast it gets complicated and this doesn't even cover what will actually fit the car ...

 

The Eibachs ruin the beauty of the car! Standard sprins and decent shocks work wonderfully on the XJS. Berkshire Jaguar have good fronts, made in the UK too. Rears, in my experience, you are far better off using OEM ones, however old. There are loads of second hand ones about.

 

My old springs (front) were toast I do have a full set of 'Monroe' rears hiding in the garage - they just aren't very pretty when you have buried 1000's into the subframe ...

 

Bilstien shocks are close to original and have excellent quality.

 

I have to respectfully disagree. Bilsteins are far stiffer than the OEM shocks. Boge shocks are still available and they are the OEM ones. Also, I believe adjustable shocks are an excellent choice. Either Gaz or AVOs work well and you can adjust them to your exact preference.

 

I had no trouble removing the springs from the shocks although mine is an S3.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-211881/page4/
Post #62

Dave

 

The bilstein were noticeably stiffer than my originals but by no means are these “stiff”. The car is still very comfortable. Still a cruiser not a sports car,

 

Should a 94 only have the 2 shocks? I believe the inboard brakes and 4 shocks went away with the facelift in 92, in favor of the then modern outboard brakes similar to XJ40/300?

 

They all have 4 shocks!