The front end makes a "clunk" noise when I hit anything larger than a tiny bump. I had my buddy replace the bushings. He said the throughbolt from the upper wishbone though the front crossmember had elongated its hole into a slot. He thinks when I hit a bump it moves across the slot and makes the clunking noise. The hole is less than 3/16" out of round, and I havent found any good fix. The car is aligned and tracks straight - could there be other bushings or parts that need replacing? 78K miles. Is this dangerous?

Really Appreciate the Help!

Thenaz007
99 XK8 convertible - timing chain kit, water pump, engine, conv. top, etc.

 

I would check the lower shock bush.

If it is the subframe, be prepared to have an expensive fix

 

Bad sway bar bushings will make a clunk sound, too. They are very easy to replace.

 

Thanks guys! Sway bar bushings were recently replaced with Poly. How bad is the replacement of the upper and lower shock bushings? I saw the wishbone bushing replacement, but have to watch the video again with sound :-)

 

Here is an article on this problem of frozen bolts and destroyed mounting bracket.
Mines in the shop today for an alignment. Needs upper A arm bushings ($2,100). I hope it doesn't have this problem too
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Front Suspension / Wheels | Jaguar XK8 and XKR Parts and Accessories

 

Replacement of the lower shock bushes is quite straitforward if you have access to a press, the jtis disc says to remove pivot pin( ******* to remove) and upper wishbone to remove shock, but it can be done by releasing upper wishbone balljoint, compressing spring and removing wheelarch liner to give a little extra room for manouver
Bob

 

Don't know if this is your problem, but my 02 was doing this. Turns out the nuts holding the drivers side strut tower in place had to be torqued. They felt tight to me when I checked them, but my mechanic went right to them when he heard the clunking sound it made.

He torqued them properly (tightened) and the problem went away.

 

Nice fix!! Hope his is that simple!
Bob

 

Thanks everyone! I am not really noticing any deteriorating handling at 78K miles but the sound has made me a bit paranoid. I don't really have a dealer or service center in my area that I trust enough to head down this path - I guess I could take it in and see what they say and bounce it off you guys. I forgot to mention that I have lower profile tires than stock so I am transmitting more of the bumps directly to the suspension (a little rougher ride comes with the look...). I will take it in and get a quote on retorqueing the shock towers and go from there.

Thanks again!!

 

Did one of these over the summer total cost around £150.00 for the repair but excluding the many new components I did at the same time as a refresh of the front end. Happy to give details. The car has done been tracked and is perfect, has done couple thousand miles on holiday with no issue and drives nice an taught again.