On the drive home from work yesterday I heard a loud clunking sound coming from the left front side of the car. When I sped up the noise got quicker and slowed down when I went slower. The loudness of the noise didn't change under braking but seemed louder and faster when I accelerated. When I took my hands off the steering wheel the car drove straight, no pulling to either side and I didn't notice any increased vibration in the steering wheel. I took the cap off the shock tower and everything looked normal, top bolt in the middle and the foam mount was good, no crumbling or cracking foam. I have no lift and a bad back so getting under the car is next to impossible but I jacked it up but couldn't see anything obvious. Any suggestions as to what to look for would be very welcome before I take her to the mechanic on the 23rd.

 

Your description sure sounds like a wheel bearing, increase sound with increase wheel speed. That of course, is based on the fact that your pinpoint hearing is correct, but a good place to start.
Here is a simple solution, you have a brake shoe that is worn, and the metal warning tab is letting you know. I think we have those on the Jaguar, been a while since I have been in there to do that job.

 

Hi cjd777 thanks for your reply. I had the brakes done last fall before I parked it for the winter so based on your response I'm leaning towards wheel bearing. Is there anyway I can check to prove it one way or another?

 

Get the wheel off the ground and grab it at 12 and 6 and check for play, should be very little.

 

cjd777, thanks for your help bud.

 

I also have a 97 xk8, now has 70k mi. My shocks were stock and lower mounts looked like this on both sides front, upper mounts were trash as well. Did new everything up front, shocks, upper mounts, tie rod ends(outer) new ball joints upper and lower, new wish bone bushings upper and lower, new wheel bearings and sway bar end links and bushings, all noises up front gone. Now everything was bad but I decided to do it all at
once.

check your upper shock mounts and lower shock mounts, then go from there