Hello, it's been a while since my last post. Happy to say my XK8 has been mostly without trouble in the interim, but I do have something which needs tended to.

The front shock mounts have been slowly deteriorating, I suppose this is to be expected after 20 years. I read a recommendation for a forum member who makes custom mounts but requires sending some parts to him for the rebuild, this is not an option for me as I don't want the downtime. I suppose the next best thing is to buy OEM replacements from someplace like https://www.jagbits.com/product/MJA2170BD.html unless anyone has other suggestions?

Since the car has 99k miles my mechanic has suggested replacing the shocks as well. Should I just go with OEM for these as well or are there better options? I don't care about enhanced performance and certainly don't need a stiffer ride for my leisurely cruises.

Is there anything else which I should consider obtaining while these components are being worked on? I believe the springs are OK, no idea how long they're expected to last.

Thank you.

 

Mine need front upper mounts also. 2005 with 33,000 miles. Left side mount is rotting away from years not miles. John from youtube (To The Garage) I believe it is called has just order mounts and shocks for his and i'm wondering where he got his mounts. I might just ask him in the commments on his video, might find some reviews on mounts.

Jack

 

I've also been putting off doing the shock mounts that are now dust resulting in the car being a bit too low in the front. The local shop I use will not just do the mounts but would also do the shocks which I guess makes sense with 63,000 miles on an almost 20 year old car. Unfortunately I have the CATS in the XKR and would probably like to retain that and he is estimating cost for this work would be in the $1,200 neighborhood. I will bite the bullet in the near future and get this done.

 

I have not used these myself, but have used several other üro parts without issue.

 

Driving conditions matter more than simply mileage but my XKR also has CATS and over 200000 klms. Dampers still good. Don't just assume yours need replacing at 63k miles.

 

Normally I wouldn't be replacing them but the guy pretty much refuses to screw around with compressing the spings to get the mounts off and would prefer to do as an entire assembly. I suppose I can check and see what another shop would be willing to do.

 

If Wayne's custom mounts aren't an option, I would (and did) go with the OEM parts.
Judging by the reports here, there isn't much aftermarket that cuts it.

$330 sounds a bit heavy. Although Heritage prices have risen around 50% since I bought mine in 2019, it might be worth pricing them from a dealership or, possibly what Heritage would charge for shipping on top of their price of ~$240 each.
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic...-mounting.html

Shocks may still be OK, but the odds are that the lower shock bushings won't be. RockAuto has OEM Bilstein at a shade over $100 each:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...k+/+strut,7556
...which is very little more than just the OEM bushing
However, there are much cheaper options for the bushing (# MJA2153AB) if you decide to keep the existing shocks.

You may find other 'stuff' when you get into it (upper/lower wishbone bushes, ball joints, sway bar rubbers, etc.) but they don't need springs compressing for replacement

 

Guy, sorry buddy but BS. He still has to compress the springs the same and adding new or old shocks will be no difference in the final job. Plus he would need to have new springs to have a complete unit to install, his total parts lists would include Mounts, Springs, Shocks, and the bottom spring stand pedestal with spacers and spring level plastic piece. All of those pieces are normally used from the used unit. So if he doesn't plan on taking yours apart to get them, don't have a clue how he can do this job at the price given.
Fine another garage that does these, or talk to a Jaguar member in your local area.

 

Yeah I did call another shop and may drop in there to confirm things but that guy came up with about $900 just to replace the mounts--parts are $270 apiece??? plus a couple of hours of labor.

 

I used the Uros from RockAuto when my previous XK8 needed them. They were still good after 3 years and about 40k miles when I sold the car.

 

If URO is the way you are going, let me help with that price.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...ount+URO&pos=3

Have them in hand and ask what someone will put these on for.?
Save the old mounts and send them to me at my expense of course.

 

Wayne, that's interesting. My Welsh mounts are failing, but I don't want to tie up my lift. So I could buy the mounts from O'Reilly, send my Welsh mounts to you for rebuild, which I have been planning on doing, and when the URO's fail ask for a refund. Of course, I'm still stuck with the pain of replacing the mounts an extra time, but working on my cars keeps me active. Sounds like a plan.

The funny thing is, out of four cars: the XK8, Ford Fiesta, 50 Chevy restomod and Maserati coupe, the most reliable is the Maserati.

I almost forgot to mention: I had a Triumph 1800 many years ago.

RJ

 

RJ, I have a member in CA buying the URO mounts and sending them to me for rebuild, throwing the new guts away, as he doesn't want to have the down time either.
He will send me whatever he is taking off also, so I might get ahead and save all this extra expense.
Be glad to help on a fast turnaround, if that would help, you are close and Priority Mail is $17.10.

 

Be aware that not all front-end sag is due to to shock-mount failure. The springs themselves will "sag" a little (that is, lose some length). To some extent, this can be corrected by adding spacers (shims). I added one on each side, above my new URO yellow shock mounts (fine so far, thanks). I cut them out of white kitchen cutting-board material, about 3/8" thick. It might also be possible to shim up the landing/ledge at the bottom of the shock. In any case you can about double the total shim thickness to estimate the improvement in ride height. In other words my 3/8" spacers resulted in about a 3/4" improvement in ride height.

Of course, these shims will reduce the total available spring travel, but I really don't drive so that I'm bottoming out, so that doesn't bother me much!

Bob Frisby
Boise, Idaho
'99 XK8, '70 e-type FHC

 

$1200 for new CATS, Shock Mounts and Alignment is an excellent price. Might want to have him add drop links and front sway bar bushings as long as he’s in there.

 

Wayne, if I am able to make my annual trip to Wake Forest at the end of August on the existing mounts I can keep the Jag parked on the lift for a while. What is your typical turn around time?
Thanks, RJ

 

RJ, I try to do 2 day, but if I get them on a Friday, most of the time it's Monday before I can get them out.
We have discussed this on other Threads, there are 4 different mounts that are floating around and depending on the one you have, I have to cut the mounts fit and clean up the whole thing, as most have very sharp edges internally, which add to the cutting of anything you put in there.
Do you come up I85 or go over to I95 going to WF?
We might should continue this on PM for our part.
Thanks