If I'm changing out the front and rear Bilstein shocks and strut mounts. Do I need to put new coils on too? My XK8 has around 74,000 miles on it. Also, I'm changing out the bushings and ball joints on my upper and lower control arms. My mechanic keeps telling me I need new control arms, that you can't replace ball joints. The feedback I'm getting on Jaguar Forums disagrees. Should my mechanic be able to "press-in" a control arm ball joint, as well as bushings? Is it big-time difficult?

 

Both upper and lower are replaceable, although the lower is more difficult due to the shape of the arm.
Take a look at this thread started by sklimii as it touches on the subject including the cost of complete new assemblies
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...5/#post2062204

 

The Ball joints need a 20 Ton press, but they are replaceable.

It's big time difficult, but I'm not a mechanic and I did it.

Those C-clamp ball joint tools are worthless, unless you cut away most of the BJ with a cut off wheel, and pressing them back in with a C-tool would be hard (because the bottom is angled).

Your springs are probably still good.

 

I replaced the springs at about the same milage. Frankly I'm not sure how much I noticed the difference. Last I looked they were about $100 each and would take zero effort to install if you're replacing the shocks. Go with your gut.

John

 

Normally no, but it is not unheard of that the original springs sag. The point is that a sagging spring will not allow the ride height to be as high as needed and you will end up with too much negative camber. To get a better sense of this question, visit jagrepair.com and find the Vehicle Spec Book. The stock ride height is listed there as well as how to measure it. Then measure the ride height on your car. It will likely be lower because the stock upper mount are crap and collapse over time. My take is that if the ride height is significantly lower than an inch below spec, you might want to start the hunt for new springs. Otherwise, new upper mounts will likely catch you up to where you need to be.

Best of luck, keep us posted.