Hi again Folks
I've been hunting noisy gremlins in the front suspension of my 03 XKR convertible. So far have changed:
Upper and lower shock mounts both sides
Sway bar bushes.
Sway bar drop links
Upper control arm bushes (ball joints were ok)
Lower control arm bushes and ball joints
Driver side only CATS shock.

I'm STILL getting a chatter from the passengers side which turns into a loud knock when it encounters a pot hole or similar obstacle.
By elimination does it have to be the very expensive CATS shock on the passengers side or is there something else that may be the culprit ?

All opinions would be welcome .
Thanks Jeff

 

Two things worth double-checking.

1. Is the nut on top of the shock absorber (inside the engine bay) very tight ? It's not always easy to keep the threaded part from turning while getting the nut to the correct torque. You will get a knocking noise if it is even a tiny bit loose.
2. Check the front ends of the "X braces" - see here :

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-dash-100356/

 

Id also strongly suspect the mounting disc atop of the suspension. They can corrode quite badly.

 

Another check - Crossbeam Vee mountings (tightness/leakage) and round bushes.

Graham

 

when you replaced the upper/lower shock mounts - did you check the condition of the bump stops?? They tend to deteriorate over time just like the upper shock mounts

 

I'm guessing it's the ball joints.

 

Thanks Guys. I'll check through some of the points above and let you know how I go.
Cheers Jeff

 

I for one would like to know what causes my similar clunk in the right side suspension. I've "narrowed" it down to upper ball joint, lower ball joint, lower arm bushings, sway bar bushings, motor mount, inner steering rack, outer tie rod, or shock absorber internals. Let us know how you fixed it.

 

You've changed most everything so I think it's either the ball joint or check the caliper to make sure everything is secure.

 

Thanks. I changed the bottom ball joints and 2 garages have told me the upper ones seem fine. I also had both the calipers and disks off while trying to get the lower control arms off so I know they're ok. Just desperately don't want to spend $700 on a new adaptive shock and find that still doesn't fix it...!

 

So have checked the nut on the top of the adaptive shock and itis set at the correct torque.
The X braces are fine. Don't think it would be bump stops as noise happen under light to medium road bumps no where near full suspension travel.
So I'm guess all that's left is upper ball joint, adaptive shock or front cradle V mounts (whatever they are..).
Shock is not leaking or anything. I had a Euro car specialist go thru front suspension and all he could fault were lower control arm bushes and bj's all of which have now been replaced.
Last thoughts anybody?
Thanks Jeff

 

So have checked the nut on the top of the adaptive shock and itis set at the correct torque.
The X braces are fine. Don't think it would be bump stops as noise happen under light to medium road bumps no where near full suspension travel.
So I'm guess all that's left is upper ball joint, adaptive shock or front cradle V mounts (whatever they are..).
Shock is not leaking or anything. I had a Euro car specialist go thru front suspension and all he could fault were lower control arm bushes and bj's all of which have now been replaced.
Last thoughts anybody?
Thanks Jeff

 

I'm entertaining swapping front shocks side to side to see if the clunk moves to the left side. Will do when replacing upper ball joints.

 

Or you could replace the expensive shocks with XK8 shocks. I've changed mounts on both and the shocks I'm sure will interchange. Do we really need the adaptive feature? I've had both and can't remember much difference. However I don't thrash on my cars either. Good luck.

 

Thanks but I recently replaced the drivers side shock with a new adaptive shock at some expense so won't be throwing that out..

 

I had an unfindable knocking coming from the front of my 98 XK8. Two local well respected garages failed to find it.

I eventually was advised to take it to a garage with a shaker plate. They found and fixed the problem within an hour. It turned out to be a loose bolt.

 

Thanks Mrobinson, now I think I'll check for some loose fasteners. Which bolt was loose on yours?

 

You know this is going to be a head smack when you figure it out

 

I'm just throwing this out there, don't want to run you down a rabbit hole. TSB 910-05

 

No idea, sorry.