I read on another forum that there was a repair bulletin issued by Jaguar, number 204-11 in April 2003 that advised mechanics to install these bushings in a different manner. A member of that forum said it could cause the front of the car to sway and bounce on rough roads. I am experiencing this problem and had these replaced last year by the mechanic at the dealer. Has anyone experienced this problem and how did the approach the dealership or mechanic?

Thanks

 

If improperly installed, and you have the TSB 204-11 with you, it should be obvious if the bushings were installed incorrectly, I mean are we talking pressed into the bushing from the wrong side, upside down, what? (j/k on the upside down) I remember Brutal mentioning the using of the same bushings (either the front or rear) for both lower arms, as one is a bit stronger than the other, and a trial installation resulted in good results. Not sure if that is the TSB you are referring to, or if that bushing 'tip' made it into a formal dealer-wide procedure.

Something that comes to mind first...and Brutal mentioned this, if the car is not lowered to the ground prior to torqueing the lower control arm bolts, the bushings in essence, get pre-tensioned. That may also cause some strange movement at that pivot point..but not sway...so maybe that's not even relevant.

Do you have the TSB 204-11? If not, I wonder if our buddy Motorcarman (retired dealer tech) has that in his vast computer library of service documents?

 

Thanks H20Boy. I don't have the bulletin and since I'm not a mechanic it probably woiuldn't do me much good. I don't even know if this repair bulletin is relevant. I know the ride I'm getting is poor compared to my bmw and lexus. I would think that if something was worn it could be replaced.

From the photo of your 2003 it is obvious you keep the car pristine. Mine looks pretty much like yours, silver and black top with beige interior. It is always garaged and only driven about 4000+ miles a year. Oil is changed every 3-4 months regardless of how much driving I do. Still this car has had a lot of work in the last 10,000 miles.

 

If the shocks from L to R are unevenly matched (one fatigued, the other substantially newer, etc) that would contribute to some rough road recovery...whats your ride height, measured from center of the hubcap, to the lower side edge of the fender...front and rear?

Man, I can't tell you how I've experienced the swaying and uncontrolled movement in that suspension in my car, I know of what you speak. Obvious were the degredation of the control arm bushings though. I assume the tie rod ends are not producing any movement either when inspecting the suspension?

 

I'll have to check the height when I get home. I'm at work at the moment. I have to be honest I was tempted to sell the car (I have 19 months left on a pretty good bumper to bumper warranty) and explore a mid 2000 911. I'm bringing the car into the dealer again on Thursday to have them check it out.
Have you had you car since 2003? I am sure it had to have a smooth ride at inception.

 

The upper shock mounts are also prone to failure. Right now my front suspension feels very shaky on rough roads, and I'm pretty sure it's the upper shock mounts. I've examined my suspension pretty closely and the only thing I can find that's iffy right now is the upper mounts. I feel the shaking through the steering wheel. You can check your upper mounts by raising the hood and looking at the bolt in the center of the shock tower (I think that's what it's called). If the bolt is off-center then you definitely have bad upper shock bushings.

 

I'll take a look. I'd really like to get a tight ride even if it's softer then the bimer