For your future reference I wanted to post this price:

Gaudin sells the pair of front springs for a 1998 convertible for $227. Best price I found after extensive searching.

Need to give you a heads up though. I ordered these via the on line catalog. The catalog showed a positive inventory number, but when I sent the order I got an email explaining that they would order the shocks from "the factory", get them in 3 business days, then turn them around and ship them to me. I am getting used to expecting same day shipping.

When I called about this they explained that just because they show inventory in the on line catalog doesn't mean they really do have any inventory.

So keep this in mind if you need a part fast. From my conversations with them, I would never ever order on-line again. It sure looks like their telephone ordering process works the smoothest.

 

Why were you replacing them? I have a convertible also and the front is really low. *** end really high!
I changed wheels and tires from the 18" (2000 XKR CONV.) to 9/20 F & 10.5 R. 255 fronts and 285 rears.
The rolling diameter and height is the same as stock but it seems I need more wheel control.
I was thinking stiffer springs and non adaptive shock (Bilsteins or Konis) the lowering springs should lower the rear and stiffen the front. It couldn't get any lower in the front but could stiffen the ride and lower the rear adding weight rearward S.
Thoughts?

 

Be careful and read more threads on this issue. If you raise the front, it will lower the rear by default.

Stock measurements on the convertible should be 15.75" from center of wheel hub cap to bottom of fender lip apex.

I had bad springs on the front and it sat at 14" and 16.25" in rear. Replacing the front coil springs raised the front to 15.5" and the rear lowered itself to match. Close enough to true spec and corrected my negative camber issue.

 

Kulddy, I changed them cause ride height was low up front and I wanted to tighten up the handling. Guess this was the next item in my quest to make the suspension like new.

 

Conversely, if I lower the rear and install a higher rate front and rear spring the handling will tighten up per my preferences. The active shocks were fine with the stock wheels and tires with respect to NVH. BUT THEY SEEM INADEQUATE WITH THE HEAVIER/WIDER WHEELS AND TIRES AND THE LOWER PROFILE. Sorry about the caps. On really smooth roads they are great but seams, manhole covers cause a double bump.

 

Kluddy, I can't answer this one, I have no experience with it. I'm sure there are many members who have lowered their XK8 and can answer.

John

 

I've done a similar thing, only using 19" tires (same widths) and the Amedesh lowering springs. My center to arch is 15" and it reduced the well spacing as I wanted. I also replaced the active shocks for Bilsteins. With the firmer spring and standard shocks I don't notice a loss of handline due to no Active suspension. Steering is tighter with more rubber on the road but keep in mind the larger the wheel the more 'bumps' you are going to feel it took me awhile playing with tire pressure to get a comfortable ride. I'm pretty happy with the change at this point.

 

Kool jam,
The stock shocks arn't handling the wheel control. I get a double bounce out of the wheels over the bumps. More rebound control needed and some (a tad) compression is needed. I just got upper and lower mount for the front shocks. I got updated urethane uppers and stock (lubed with a bladder in between the inner and outer parts of the bushings). I would guess lowering the tire pressures some would reduce some of the rebound. Shocks and springs are so expensive they will have to wait a while!
Wayne