When driving very slow such that road noise does not drown it out, I hear a a clicking noise from the rear suspension, going over very slight road irregularities. Not a clunk or what might be bushing related noise, I don't think. Jag says uh, New Shocks will cure the problem. Well I dare say. Wonder if others have experience this in their XK(R)s, and if so what solutions other than complete refit were found.
Thanks

 

Jaguar service depts seem to forget that service and parts, especially THEIRS, is expensive. I sure wouldn't buy a new set of rear shocks based on that, unless they're showing other signs of needing replacement like age, leaks or poor handling. I'd make sure nothing else was binding or loose, and lube everything underneath that can be lubed and see if it goes away.

 

click could VERY be the metal sleeve in the lower bushing, don't discount that please. I've found the top mounts are never the problem in typical climates also. You could check your sway bar link bushings, but again, your car is so 'young' and in a great weather region.

 

Thanks for the tips. I'll check those ideas out! Yeah, I can even live with what I hear (I don'r even know of anyone not focused in on it would even hear it...We're a such funny detail focused bunch aren't we? If these don't solve the issue, given the quoted $1799 for new shocks, I think I may just turn up the Dire Straits a little and pretend it isn't there!
Syd

 

Nothing loose in spare wheel well is there? If not "Custard Pie" Led Zep turn up to number 11 and rip the volume knob off!

 

$1800 for new rear shocks or all four? Something tells me rears only...

 

Try to tighten the rear handbrake cable first (13mm nut on threaded rod). I always adjust them on the XJ/XK when I have them in for service. The shoes rattle a bit when the cable gets slack.

bob gauff

 

Answer to a couple of posts:
1) Rear Shocks only, yes

2) I wonder if I want to check out that hand brake idea if I simply pull up sightly on the handle at the low speeds where the sound can be heard if that would do the same thing as a quick test to see if the rattling shoes are a possibility?

 

I have the same clicking 'problem' on my 2005/06 XKR. I only hear it at low speeds, particularly when arriving back home after a reasonably long drive. I am curious to know what it is due to and whether it will eventually turn into something serious, i.e. expensive!

 

At low speed on rough roads I have a simular rattle/ click. Apparantly it is two handbrake springs that hit each other. My ex Dealer mechanic told me there is a manufacturers note/ fix on it.

The cure is to heat wrap the springs.

regards

 

I too have this problem and am starting to chase it down. It sounds like Bob Gauffs idea is a good one and I will look at the handbrake. I went under the car while lubing the halfshafts and took silicone spray and sprayed every joint and rubbing thing under there. It quieted down some but not completely and has now come back with a vengance. While I was looking around, it looked to me that the bushes for the anti-roll bar links were worn, so I will replace them and see if that helps.

 

I tightened the handbrake cable until I could pull the handle up only about 3" and this had no effect on the rattle in the rear. So I got under and sprayed the roll bar link bushes with white lithium spray and this made some difference but did not stop it entirely. I think the bushes are the problem as I can see the bare metal of the vertical link under them, so they have to be rattling. I will get a couple bushes and install them, let you know how it goes as this rattle is driving me crazy.

 

It will be interesting to hear how you fare, Oldmots, but I would describe what I have as an occasional clicking, rather than a rattle. For those who are familiar with Citroëns' hydraulic suspension setups, it's exactly the same noise as that.

 

I liken the sound to a rectangular cookie tin rolling around loose in the trunk, a kind of thunking sound that I can hear only at low speeds. The sound takes almost no motion to trigger so it has to be something directly attached to or touching the suspension.

 

If you do the bushings please take pictures of the process and new and worn bushing. It would be interesting to see the difference.

 

Right, well I think we are talking about two different problems here. My sound is like a mouse click (only louder) which I hear particularly on start-up, as if the suspension is warming up somehow.

 

More information...I talked to my Jag Specialist to get him to look at the noise and he said he just had a customer in with on 05 XKR with the same problem. The diagnosis was problems with the electronic shocks on the rear of the R model. It makes sense that the noise is inside the shock unit since it is so muffled. Unfortunately the warranty will not cover shocks. The Tech (ex-dealer master tech) said to take it to the dealer, the problem will likely bring up a code that only shows on the dealer computer. Sounds like a pricey fix.

 

Yet another minor (for the moment), but annoying problem which is going to be expensive to fix, as you say.

It's a good job these cars are so beautiful, cos they're a PITA to maintain

 

Yes the click is like that mouse click that was referred to above. But it now sounds as if we are coming full circle back to the internal shock click I posted about in the beginning and which was priced at full real shock replacements at about $2Grand at the dealer!

I did find that the brake cable was a little slack and the cable yoke was making some noise, but that was not it.

However I solved the problem for me, by keeping my golf clubs in boot. Now I just pretend I'm hearing my sand wedge tapping against my 5 iron! That I can live with!
TCSYD

 

Good solution....before I spend $2000 to stop this very minor noise, I'll just turn up the radio. I can't hear it if the window is open or the radio is on or the speed is over about 10 mph. There seems to be no problem with the suspension operation that anyone has mentioned.