Hi, I hope someone can help me. My lovely XK Convertible seems to have a mind of it's own and will happily step out of line to follow white lines or minor road undulations, sometimes quite severely if you don't keep a tight grip on the wheel. I've changed both front tyres and had the car 4 wheel aligned but it's still the same.
The Garage I use can't find anything wrong other than a slight misting on the nearside front damper (CATS). There are no clunks or other noises and the car will drive perfectly straight at high speed with no wheel vibration whatsoever. One of the rear dampers also has a slight oil leak so I've ordered 4 replacements to change them all but wondered if there was anything else I should change as a matter of preventative maintenance whist it's being worked on. The only odd thing it does is if you have the car on full lock and you drive slowly forward, it does feel as though the front wheels are being pushed forwards and are reluctant to turn the nose but that could just be a strait of rear wheel drive. Car is an 06 plate and has about 84k on it.
Regards
Ian

 

What you could be experiencing is tramlining that occurs with wide tire cars.

GM Tech Tip: Car with Wide and Low Aspect Ratio Tires Pulls, Wanders or Tramlines - Tire Review Magazine

 

Ian,

Your car is the first model year of the aluminum XK and, although it has low mileage, it's time that takes its toll on all the rubber suspension bushings, some of which are not readily apparent. After 15 years, those original rubber parts are probably dried out and damaged.

You didn't say how long you've owned it or if you know when, if ever, those rubber bushings were replaced. Since you're already doing all 4 dampers (shock absorbers), I suggest replacing all the suspension bushings.

Stuart

 

do you have aftermarket wheels on your car and/or tires that are a different size from the originals? any other modifications to suspension geometry?

 

Hi and Thanks to those that have replied. I think changing the bushings is a good idea as they are 15 years old now and if not worn will be past their best. I might change all the ball joints as well, though it may be an expensive undertaking.
Wheels and tyres are all standard XK items. It's running 19 inch wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Tyres.

 

Ever drive anything with "run flat" tires? My wifes BMW Z4 had them and they were terrible for tramlining.
Toe-out is also a major cause. A static alignment might not catch slightly worn tie rod ends. I would take it to a good front end shop that can load the joints and bushings to check for wear before shotgun replacement of expensive items that might not need replacing.

 

And not to be discounted: tires that are experiencing "belt shift".

 

Dear Sirs!

Anybody has a list of all rubber suspension bushings and ball joints? Get Original Jaguar, or are aftermarket ones more recommended?

My car is 14, wouldn´t mind to exchange these things. No problems with the car, perhaps a little "unexact"or "soft" feeling on driving.

Thanks in advance, Hermann

 

Herman, if you want to improve the ride go for OEM, the original owner of my 2014 decided to upgrade to a black polybush set, so have made a firm ride into quite an unforgiving one (coupled with 20 rims and RS suspension).

That said they'll probably not wear out (my teeth will most probably go first!) and ask MOT testers to pay particular attention in that area

 

Worth reading:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ension-159852/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ension-199679/

 

Out of interest, are the front tires and rear tires a matched set? Can you tell us the pattern of the wear on the tires? Are the tires properly inflated? Are the anti-sway bars in need bushes? Sorry I have many more questions than answers at this point.

Also as mentioned above, the low profile, wide tires do like to follow the worn path on the road. If it can be helped, Don’t try to fight it, go with it.

 

I had similar symptoms (not on my current XK150) and rebushing cured it. Worth thinking about along with the other suggestions in the thread. Good luck!

 

Spitjag, I don't think anybody addressed this part: "The only odd thing it does is if you have the car on full lock and you drive slowly forward, it does feel as though the front wheels are being pushed forwards and are reluctant to turn the nose but that could just be a strait of rear wheel drive." I've had that issue on a non-Jag, and it was the LSD "locking" up in a not good way. I fixed it by replacing all the lubricant with the new and correct lubricant including LSD additive, haven't had the problem since.

I don't know if this affects the wandering that's your main problem, but it's worth fixing regardless. Or you might need a diff soon?

 

The 4.2L models were not equipped with a limited-slip differential from the factory.

 

This. 100%

 

Plus he has an XK, don't believe any version of the XK has LSD, 4.2 or 5.0

 

Wouldn't hurt to change the fluid in the diff regardless, which based on the state of the suspension bits probably has been neglected too

 

Hi and thanks to those who replied. I will be changing all the bushes and the lower balljoints when the the new dampers are swopped out. There are several sites listing the standard OEM bushes and 'upgraded' harder bushes Polybush and the like and whilst I quite fancy a bit more steering 'feel' and directness ( I came out of a Boxster before the Jag) I don't want to spoil the supple ride. Would those of you who have Polybushed the car consider it a worthwhile upgrade or am I better to stay with OEM?

 

Mine have Powerflex black bushes which (as I've eluded to earlier) are IMO too hard

If your going to for anything then chose purple as these are more compliant.

 

When I bought my car it had 10-13 year old tires, probably the ones it came on from the factory. I first bought new rear tires but the car became very nervous and wondered all over the road. Bought new front tires and problem dissappeared. Do you have different brand of tires front/rear? I'm still on OEM bushings, car is lowered and have 15/20mm spacers and car runs great. :-)
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