After I worked on my 1998 XK8 convertible struts, I had it aligned. Both camber and caster were out of alignment. I measured the height from the middle of the wheel and it was definitely low. 14.5" on one side and 14" on the other. The car has 72K miles on it. I'm pretty sure the shocks were not original because they were not green. I don't know if the springs were replaced at that time. One is 14.5 inches tall. Is that a good height? I'm pretty sure they are original due to the mileage. I replaced the 2 shocks with what was on the car, Bilstein'

s. I replaced the upper shock mounts. with URO Shock mounts from Amazon. And also bought the strut bellows with the bumper that said fit my car. The thing is, the bumper goes on the top of the bellows and fits into the upper shock mount. Not on the bottom like the Jaguar parts list show. In addition, I replaced the upper arm bushings. Also, is that white part that sits on the lower spring plate available? I accidentally left that part out. Mine had some damage to them. I know that should raise the car a little bit. I would appreciate any help. Thank you!

 

R, the front spring is 14.5 inches from floor to highest point. Yes the white spring locator (John 's description not official name) is available las i looked. It sits on a flat black ring of thickness x. That i know for sure is out there. I've got a spare locator in my tool box. If you want me to measure the thickness just ask.

You know we (actually I think it was Race Diagnostics), posted the specs for the shims that control Castor right? Oh hell I just worked with it this week:

Thick shim is 1.6mm thick
Thin shim is 0.9 mm thick

If you're in a jam, it's easy enough to stack a few fender washers to replace lost shims. I assume you have a caliper.

The hole for the washer must be 5/8 inch to get it on.

North America factory specs: left side = 2 thick 1 thin in forward position, 1 thin in rearward position.
Right side= 1 thin forward position; 2 thick 1 thin rearward.

John

John

 

See if you can find Energy Suspension part # 16.6104, good chance they will be just what you need for the bottom spring seat.
They might give you a 1/4 to 3/8 rise. There was a 1/4 inch rubber spacer we looked at for going under the top bell, but no one had it in stock.
Thinking about making some, they don't require the assembly to be taken out, just drop the three bolts at the top enough to get it under the top bell between that and the inner fender.
I know, not a Jaguar part, but it was designed to rise a big truck 3/8 inch. I'll see if I can find the add.

Here you go: https://trail-gear.com/1-4-thick-sin...te-spacer.html

They fit a '96 Tundra and I did check out their bell, it's about have the size of ours, well 4 inch and ours is 6, so 1 inch all round, might just work.
Wayne

 

Not a big deal, as you say the bump stop does go at the top of the bellows but up inside and both fit into smaller bell on bottom of mount, not as you have laid out,(bump stop goes other way up) if you look at the jag parts diagram with that in mind it makes more sense.

 

Thank you John for all the information! I really appreciate it!

 

Thanks Wayne! Appreciate the information!

 

This is the way I installed my bumper. I initially installed it on the bottom but it didn't work. My bellows instruction showed it this way. Currently I don't have any bumper on the bottom.

 

Thank RNMNQ for good pics and others for the info on how to install the Assisters or bump stops. I will be doing this chore soon as I replace the Upper Mounts again. I originally installed the bump stops with the small end down and inside the gaiter. The small end into top of gaiter and large end into the mount cavity makes more sense. The pics on the parts diagram lead one to think the stops fit inside the gaiter.

 

That's because it does.
Your car so fit it any way you want but first big pothole you hit that bottoms out that spring will likely dislodge the gaiter the way it is.
From workshop manual.