So my drivers side front tire will hit the wheel well on a speed bump at low speed (when going straight), or occasionally on a hard right turn during more spirted driving when the left front is compressed. The front suspension and shocks have been checked multiple times by the mechanic and found to be ok. I’m somewhat heavy at 230lbs., but I can’t imagine it came from the factory like this. Anyone else have this problem? Any explanations?

 

Measure the distance from the centre of the wheel to the edge of the wheel arch and let us know

 

So the drivers side wheel is 14.25 inches center to arch, and the passenger side is 14.75 inches.

 

That's a little low and obviously uneven side to side.

 

I would say you need new springs and shocks at the front. You dont know if previous owner had fitted reduced-height springs fitted ..check the rear and see if thats low as well for an indication of modification. Its an old car only do the front. The front is a DIY job if you are into spanners.

Of course, being a veteran of engine conversions and needing to adjust ride height to compensate for heavier diesel engines I would just get some 1 1/2 in spaces made and slip them under the springs ....I can hear the howls now.

 

My 2000 XK8 had the same problem before an accident that sent it to Jag heaven. I replaced the shocks and still had rubbing. The rubbing was worse on the left side. I had a set of new springs that were slated to be installed but alas never were. Check with Dave at Welsh. He has the car that has the new Bilsteins and the yet uninstalled springs.

 

Thanks to both of you, it’s amazing the information one gets from this forum. So it’s almost an inch lower than spec on drivers side, and outside the tolerance band. The car was basically 1 owner for 20 years, an older couple and the husband passed back in 2005 or so. So the wife barely drove it, and I’m fairly certain there are no modifications, such as lowered suspension. Only has 40k miles. When i had the car inspected after I bought it, the mechanic recommended 2 new rear shocks (no small expense since it has CATS shocks), so I had them replace those, but they said the fronts were fine along with the springs. It’s a weekend car, so I guess I can just avoid speed bumps…..

 

stephenniz, very interesting, I will call Dave. Sorry to hear about your XK8. Pretty sure from my shocks are different from XK8 but springs may fit.

 

A low ride height on our cars also brings excess negative camber and uneven tire wear.

You really need to check the condition of the shock mounts. They are a poorly designed and poorly made from the factory. They collapse over time, sometimes quickly. This is likely your #1 problem.

Second, check/replace the lower shock joint/bushing (cheap part, but some labor involved). The seals on that joint sometimes fail, the joint gets contaminated and collapses some, again lowering the height.

There are additional steps to take from there, if necessary. Double check the required parts on the strut assembly. There are various plastic parts around the spring that contribute to the height. Some could be missing. As a last resort, some shim the mount by inserting a stiff board between the shock tower and the mount. Others just replace the springs outright. Unfortunately, there is a zoo of part#, many NLA.

 

Some call it a spacer Frmertz calls it a shim but to put it under the mount is a great and easy way if you have checked all the othe parts ...Give your mechanic a list . I have often thought of strong durable materials I could get in my lathe to turn such items and concluded the thick "plastic " chopping boards used by cooks would be a good start . Hack it out on the band saw and trim it on the lathe or do the whole job on a jig saw. Remove one top mount or buy a new top mount and build a spacer to match it . Unfortunately unless you are a "mechanic" mending jags costs $$$$