I have a 1996 celebration xjs 4 litre coupe it has done 63,000 miles. i have never been particualrly happy with the ride quality it is too harsh. Can this be improved by fitting new original or different shock absorber etc ?

 

Do you have the sport pack option? Has the suspension system been altered by any previous owners? If so take it back to original bushings and shocks. Most owners would agree that the steering rack and the sway bars would benefit from Poly bushings, but all else should remain with stock bushings.

 

Thanks for your commnet

 

A set of OEM Boge shocks all round is the place to start. After that it may be your springs are too hard, but I doubt it. I once put a set of monroes on my car and it ruined the ride completely: it was like no suspension at all. They came off the next day!

Greg

 

As I recall, all 4 litre coupes had the sports suspension as standard. Easy check, look at your shock absorbers. Green coloured shocks will indicate sports set up. The front springs are significantly stiffer (43%) and the shocks are too. The black Boge shocks are significantly more compliant though some find them too soft.

 

I thought all sport packs came with the rear sway bar. My 4.0 coupe does not have the sway bar nor does it have the body reinforcing mount with the bolts for the "U" straps.

 

The rear anti-roll bar appeared and disappeared from the XJS at various times throughout it's production. I'm not sure when the final change was made but certainly all SportsPack equipped cars from 94 to 96 did not have a rear bar nor was one available as an option from the factory.

 

My '92 coupe has the rear bar with black shocks. Maybe there's some randomness in the specs. I couldn't ask for a better ride and I really do think the handling is excellent.