So after the new coilovers and powerflex bushings I'm finally getting the XK8 aligned. First shop can't do it, they said they don't mess with shims. They said it's out of alignment, which is to be expected with new suspension components.

They recommended another shop that all they do is alignment, but this shop doesn't have the "downforce" that I've read is recommended.

Car specs: 1999 XK8. 17" Wheels. 245/50 Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season tires. AVO Coilovers. Lowered to 14.5" front. 14.75" rear. Powerflex bushings in all the major places that a backyard mechanic can reach. I didn't replace any of the press-out bushing but they all looked in good shape. New shock mount buffers (Poly).

So my question is is the "downforce" necessary? I read from @Brutal that pressing outward on the front tire to max Toe will center it correctly when reading the equipment.

Is there anything anyone can provide as a write up to take to the technician? This place is well regarded and recommended, but I doubt they've ever done alignment on a 1999 XK8

(I'm in rural South Carolina - so not sure there would be many places in the area that have messed with one of these - also open to other recommendations. Willing to drive to get it done right)

 

Timely post, I'm also about to have mine aligned following my installation of new front shock mounts and bushings, and my normally very competent and trustworthy local shop turned me away when I mentioned the need to pre-load the wheels outward with a spreader bar. Didn't think to mention to them that spreading by hand is considered sufficient.

I now have an alignment appointment scheduled for next Friday with the semi-local indy that does a lot of work for the Jaguar club members (and for various other classic cars) here in Pitt. I will ask him about the need for downforce, but my take-away from reading the older threads here was that it's only required for older Jaguars, not the X100s.

By the way, I was going to ask for a pre-loaded 0.16° total toe-out, also per the old threads here. Really hoping that the caster shims can remain in place as per the factory-spec.

 

These are the alignment specs from the shop that couldn't do the work:

 

Does anyone have any input on the alignment specs in the above? Are they super bad?

 

I attached the alignment specs from the 2003-2006 shop manual, apparently the specs stayed the same from 1997 forward.
Looks to me like your rear toe is off by more than a little bit.

I'm struggling to fully understand these tables though. For example, why are there three different min/max columns for front/rear camber, and front castor (screenshot below)? Why isn't there just a left and a right?

 

If you use this link, (courtesy Gus)

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...sb_09_2003.pdf

then you will find the same info, but presented more clearly, explaining the third set of figures.

Using the link to Gus's Home page JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource will no doubt be of use to in many situations

 

Hah, I should've known to check at Gus's JagRepair before asking.
And now I understand why the shop manual tables didn't make sense; the headers are mislabeled.
Thanks!

 

It's been a while, but IIRC the rear camber is the only thing that needs shims.