Hi everyone,
The recent posts @ welsh upper mounts has changed my desire to just pop down the money for the easiest, quickest approach (with price being a consideration)
In my opinion, 2 or 3 years life span is not acceptable for a product like this.
I recall finding several posts (years ago) about an individual that rebuilt his mounts using cutting board material. At the same time I found a posting from a hot rodder that rebuilt these types of mount and he even listed the materials and supplier he used.
If anyone could steer me toward any of these older posts I would appreciate it.
I'm prepared to get a few sets turned to the proper sizing if I can find some of this older guidance.
wj

 

From memory, the cutting board was used in addition to the new mount for the purpose of restoring ride height. I understood it to be an additional layer between the top part of the mount and the metal shock tower. You figure a 3/8" or so filler with the shock base attached partway down the lower control arm might restore the better part of 1" of ride height.

 

There was one thread where the individual was turning the polyethylene, adding the metal ring...everything. He was creating a complete set of replacement 'soft(softer)' parts. It was on this forum back in the 2009~13 range. I've searched and my eyes are bleeding at the moment but will continue the quest.
thanks for the reply.
wj

 

Found this: home-made-strut-mount-bushings

 

I never saw that post before, interesting as it seems this need has been around for a while.
The one particular post I'm looking for actually have images of the poster turning the white material on a lathe with a large stack of the material on the floor...and of course a beautiful finished product with WHITE where we always see yellow, black or redish pink. thanks for the effort. I think he was retired and living in florida.
wj

 

Wouldn't a harder rubber be a better bet?? There has to be something "out there" that would last. I'm not a scientist, engineer or chemist nor have I played one on TV but this is can't be that difficult. Is it? TM

 

On the stock foam mounts, the foam flattens into a pancake, specially the outer doughnut, the inner one crumbles. On the Welsh urethane mount, the outer doughnut seems to be everlasting, but the inner bush seems to have a weakness to strong horizontal forces. At least, Welsh's mounts save your tires, but yes I agree. It can't be too hard for them to reinforce the inner bush.

 

The info may be in this thread:

Front shock mount/spacer - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

thank you RJ,
That is one of the two I was looking for!
wj

 

Very interesting stuff. Obviously the quality/durability of the shock mounts themselves is an issue. But in addition to this, the springs apparently fatigue (?), resulting in lower ride height. I'm sure I'm not the first to think of using spacers to compensate for this. I was hoping that someone else had tried spacers, and could offer some advice as to thickness and material. Lacking any more info, I will try cutting spacers from white cutting-board material, probably about 3/8" thick or a little more. I plan to drill three holes in each spacer for the top-side studs. The spacer will then end up on top of the shock mount, adding to its total thickness.

Comments? Experiences??

Bob Frisby
Boise, Idaho
'99 XK8
'7- E-type FHC

 

Adding a spacer to compensate for a slightly tired spring might be acceptable but only if the mount itself is still serviceable.
l have never actually checked the full length of travel of the front shock absorbers but it needs to be remembered that a spacer at the top is eating into that travel.

 

I used a 3/8 polyethylene cutting board to make the spacer for my 97. I don't think you can go any thicker. It's possible to insert the spacer without removing the shock/spring assembly.