My car failed the MOT (Annual Safety Test) today - excessive wear on both front shock absorber (damper) lower bushes.
Two questions - is it possible to replace the lower bushes without removing the complete front strut assembly, and - perhaps more importantly - is there a problem with this spring and/or spring mounting ?



The photo shows the bottom of the spring and it's obviously well off-centre. The steering is on full lock (to be able to point the camera) but it doesn't look right to me.
(Sorry it's a bit mucky in there, but we're just coming out of winter, and I haven't had time or inclination to get the wheels off for a proper clean up under the wheelarch. !!)

 

The spring seat should be centered around the shock, only way what you are seeing can happen is the perch or the shock body has rusted so much that the support has disappeared on one side.

That qualifies as dangerous.

Fortunately non-CATS shocks are not too expensive and new spring perches are available as well.

 

And the new Bilsteins come with lower bushes installed. But you should probably replace the upper shock mounts at the same time.

 

Thanks Charlie and RJ. I think the top mounts are OK and agree that it's most likely that the perch / pan has corroded badly. I assume it wasn't noted by the MOT inspector because it probably looks OK with the wheels centered. Shocks may, or may not, need replacing, but it's pretty obvious that I need to get the complete suspension strut out to get it sorted !
Note to self :
1. Watch Rev. Sam's video again.
2. Prepare wallet for nasty shock.
3. Buy latex gloves, spring compressors and first-aid kit.
4. Pray for at least three dry days in succession

Cheers,
David.

 

if your car has higher miles, is a 97 also so it is old, do the top shock mounts, they are shot.

 

look at motorcars ltd they have the shocks and upper mount rebuild kits... also may as well replace the upper wishbone bushings while at it seeing as it will be apart. they also carry the complet upper mount.

 

Take a look at the Wheeler Dealers show with Ed China and Mike Brewer where they worked on an Xk8. They replaced the shocks and discs (rotors) all round and you get a very good look at what's involved.

A quick search on youtube for "wheeler dealers xk8" will throw up a few links to it.

 

Took the front suspension to bits today - found the problem which is the "pan" which supports the lower end of the spring :



As you can see, it has nearly rusted completely away, so I count myself lucky that I found it before it totally collapsed. It's a bit scary that the front suspension relies on a fairly insubstantial mild steel "pan" and a very small lip on the side of the shock absorber (damper).

Will do an "update" once I start getting new parts, and the reassembly starts, but for those in wet climates with roads which are salted in winter, might be worth having a quick check to make sure you haven't got the same problem !!

 

Glad you found it before something catastrophic happened.

 

Damn - I echo Charlie's comment - better to have found now before a catastrophe!!!

 

It seems like an annual compulsory MOT equivalent would be a good thing
everywhere. It forces owners to look at things that would otherwise get
ignored.

 

The MOT is a mixed blessing - it is very thorough in the UK - tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, structural integrity, plus emissions and various other stuff. It costs around £50.00 and is compulsory on all cars over two years (?) old. The inspector is not allowed to remove components or dismantle anything, so things which are not immediately apparent or visible can "slip through the net" and give you a false sense of security. There are also some testing stations where "allegedly" they will find faults which require expensive remedial action and therefore generate business. If you fail, you can take the car away and providing you return within ten days, the "retest" is free. It is illegal to drive a car without an MOT **except** for the most direct route between home and testing station for a pre-booked test or retest. I have a good relationship with my local tester, so if he finds something, he'll take me under the car and show me exactly what needs doing or what the problem is. He's also happy for me to do the stuff that's within my capability, and leave the other work for him. This isn't usually the case with the XK8 as it's not my daily driver) but he has done various jobs on my other cars if it is fairly urgent and needs a garage lift or specialist facilities.
All new parts now arrived, so I am starting to put my front suspension back together again.

 

I would be interested to see what spring compressors you are using, I had a couple of scary moments with mine when putting the springs back onto the shocks.

 

RD - I had a pair of spring compressors bought many years ago, but when I saw the XK8 springs, I realised they would be about as much use as a chocolate tea-pot. Got a pair from Screwfix - very strong and I felt reasonably confident that they would do the job. A bit fiddly to use but got the job done today. Tomorrow I hope to get the strut back on the car, put the hub / top wishbone back, and (with luck) get it back on all four wheels !!

Coil Spring Compressor Kit 2 Piece Set | Compression Tools | Screwfix.com