Hello,i`ve been searching the net and most forums for the last 2 nights without much success but know i`ve stumbled on good advice prior.
I am hoping someone could explain in detail the most efficient and easy way to get the shock/spring assembly out.
I recall a jaguar man on the uk forum saying to undo the large A frame bolts to chassis and wedge in a socket to give space,another thread said undo the 4 bolts holding the A frame support plate to the Diff and then bend it down.
It does appear that if the right bolts are undone then the assembly can be taken out whole without the use of specialist tools or spring compressors.
I am intending to fit a spring isolater and the 2 bushes at the top of the shock both sides and have the parts.The shocks seem ok and have had bottom bushes replaced,the A frame bushes have been replaced.Roll/Sway bar links and bushes replaced,all this just done, and though much better it still wants to rattle away and the noise is almost certainly from the top of the shock.I can get it done by a garage next week but will struggle to find the cash and the bill could escalate if i don`t tell them a procedure and they waste time.
A nice explanation of bolts to undo will hopefully give me confidence to have a go myself as i really do hate anyone working on my car especially when i can`t be there.
Any advice welcome

 

I have a JTIS explanation and some more info courtesy of finding a post by H20boy, this method requires the spring to be compressed before removal though and taking out the pin at the bottom of the hub carrier to detach it from the wishbone,yet (perhaps mistakenly) i seem to think these procedures can be bypassed.

 

The Shock/Spring can be removed without a compressor by droping the A-Frame and disconnecting the lower Pivot Bolt on the Hub Assembly. This method is detailed in a Jaguar World Magazine article and their Book: "Jaguar XK8", a compendium of articles from the magazine.

 

I have done it without spring compressors but we did drop the compelte rear frame, doing it in place will be a chore, what do you have against spring compressors? They are quite cheap to buy and will make life easy (ish)

 

When you say dropping the A frame,what does that entail? By that i mean are you referring to disconnecting it where it meets the chassis at the A frame bushes or removing it entirely and i`m referring to the A frame support plate.

 

The entire A-Frame Support Plate is unbolted and removed. The Differential is still held in place by other attachments.

The bushes that hold the A-Frame Support Plate in place have bolts through them that are removed.

With the A-Frame Support Plate removed, the Lower Control Arm can be unbolted at the Wheel Hub Assembly and then rotated down low enough to provide clearance to remove the Shock\Spring.

 

Many thanks for the reply,its all become clear now.

 

what does the power steering pump replacement typically cost to replace including any lines that attach?

 

by the way, this is for a 2001 xk8

 

hi just taken the rear shocks and springs off my 1998 xk8, first I removed the brake caliper and electric connection and tied them out of the way. Took out the bolt holding the bottom of the shock, pushed up the shock from the bottom( with bottle jack ) and put a bolt through the spring to hold the shock up. Removed the four nuts holding up the top cup of the spring. Remove the nut on the small drop link.Underneath the A frame at the rear are four bolts I removed these then inserted a pry bar where I removed the bolts from and then pressed down, inserted 2 inch block of wood this allowed the main link and hub to drop down enough to remove the spring and shock... bit of a fiddle but works.
Tony ..Cornwall UK

 

Couple of questions per:
Remove the nut on the small drop link.Underneath the A frame at the rear are four bolts I removed these then inserted a pry bar where I removed the bolts from and then pressed down, inserted 2 inch block of wood this allowed the main link and hub to drop down enough to remove the spring and shock.

What do you mean by nut on the small drop link and where exactly is the nut?
Also Underneath the A frame at the rear are four bolts can you please point them out in the photo? are they the ones in the center by the diff?
Also no mention of a spring compressor - I guess one was not used?
Thanks
I inserted this picture for reference

 

The drop links are the sway bar links. The four bolts are the ones that go into the diff as you thought. A spring compressor is not needed. Jacking the shock up and running a bolt or rod through the spring helps.

 

I have read that the bolt holding the shock to the frame can rust in place. It was suggested to remove with a reciprocating saw and just replace the bolt. Would appreciate if anyone knew the bolt size so I can order a pair.

 

Update on my last post ..springs and shocks can be removed by bending down the A frame ,
But after looking at the two main bushes holding the A frame to the chassis I decided to remove it and replace those as well. As previous posts have said it makes shock and Spring removal much easier and without the need for compressors.
All my rear end knocking has now gone.
Great photo VAXKR........you can see the two small links on your photo ,sway bar links is the correct name .I replaced the links with new ones .