When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My OER shock mounts from Barratt only lasted 14k miles before the foam totally disintegrated.
Although I knew that Wayne (cdj777) had posted his research, I took it lightly until I noticed foam bits on the floor under my Jag.
I went back and reread some post, questioned using my HF 20T press for compressing the springs , and sprung for (no pun intended) Wayne's mounts.
Fortunately, he supplied me with a set with Baxter's rubber.
Reluctantly, having safety concerns, I finally tried tooling up my 20T press to compress my springs.
Here is what I did:
Put apron pins in third holes up from bottom of frame, located apron plates and c-clamped in place
Put a safety chain from frame rail to frame rail while wrapping it at least one full turn around the spring coil.
This is the template I made for a top shock nut access fixture
This is the top shock nut access fixture welded up with 1/4" thick 3" high walls, and 3/4" thick top plate. This allows plenty of room to let my grubby little hands and tools get to the shock nut.
I used a 3/4" thick ram pad spacer in order to utilize all of the press's 5.5" stroke.
(note that crummy foam)
Per Wayne's advice, I indexed the upper spring starts with the inboard stud. Also, Wayne recomended leaving the 3 upper stud nuts loose along with the shock lower pivot nut loose. Then, drive the car back and forth to settle the suspension before finally tightening under full load. (this worked in a positive way for me in that my side to side ride height difference went from .280" down to 0.085")
FWIW, since I rarely use my press, I remove the feet and store it chained up against the wall to save space.
My first impressions are very favorable for both Wayne's mounts and using my press as a spring compressor.
I made up this spring compressor specifically for my XKR. Locks into lower spring seat, can't slip off.
less stress, less sweat and can look the task in the eye rather than head turned away.
Well done Gene. Enjoy your new Wayne/Steve shock mounts. They are indeed the best available anywhere on the planet. I firmly believe their long-term durability will make them worth every penny. Nobody wants to have to do this job more than twice (counting the Welsh or SNG Barratt or URO shock mounts job that many of us already did, much to our displeasure)....
Yes Jack, I confess to using a HF Clamshell compresser that to my surprise, got away from me. One cannot be too careful with any press. I have had years of experience on a press line and press brakes up 500T, and there were some ugly times. Thank God my son was blessed to escape with a near miss on that same press line. When I do any compression with my 20T, I clear my garage of any helpers / spectators.
I made up this spring compressor specifically for my XKR. Locks into lower spring seat, can't slip off.
less stress, less sweat and can look the task in the eye rather than head turned away.
I just acquired a 2003 XK8. And I am new to forums. I will need upper front shock mounts. Someone had replaced the mounts with URO. Wayne ckd77, How can I contact you to get a new pair? I do not have OEM cores.
I just acquired a 2003 XK8. And I am new to forums. I will need upper front shock mounts. Someone had replaced the mounts with URO. Wayne ckd77, How can I contact you to get a new pair? I do not have OEM cores.
There may be a private message limitation for new members, but otherwise contact Wayne via PM, it's CJD777 not ckd77.
Not sure what you mean by "l do not have OEM cores" do you have front mounts of any description? If you do then makes no difference if OEM or aftermarket. If Wayne is unable to help give me shout.
I just acquired a 2003 XK8. And I am new to forums. I will need upper front shock mounts. Someone had replaced the mounts with URO. Wayne ckd77, How can I contact you to get a new pair? I do not have OEM cores.
Unless you bought the car with no front suspension, you have cores. You'll have to pull the shocks out of the car and disassemble them, of course.
Ldabney12, I'll be glad to help, sometimes I have cores to send out but do expect a return. Just depends on when you are ready.
It's also nice to know where the members are I'm dealing with. So adding a location and the year the car was made will also help anyone helping you with issues not having to guess which car you are talking about, they are different over the years.
As a member you can look up my profile and get a Email address or try the PM.
Baxtor has helped many members and his system is also great, so lots of help on here.
I've had Wayne's mounts on the car for 20 months and can report they are holding up splendidly! This is how the OEM mounts should have been manufactured.
I have had two of Wayne's mount sets 'in stock' for a while and might finally get to install a set on a customer car soon.
Jaguar issued a Churchill spring compressor to the dealers a few decades ago.
Somebody stripped the threaded rod and this was to be 'thrown out in the trash'.
I rescued it, welded a new threaded rod and took it home for my shop.
(basically a trailer tongue jack with spring coil holders)
In case anybody's curious, here's what I used to compress my springs. They also work on other cars. I paid $35 on Amazon. I used the vise grips to prevent the compressors from sliding around the first time I used them. It turned out that was an unnecessary step.
In case anybody's curious, here's what I used to compress my springs. They also work on other cars. I paid $35 on Amazon. I used the vise grips to prevent the compressors from sliding around the first time I used them. It turned out that was an unnecessary step.
Interesting set up, I just completed my car with old school fat as hell compressors and it was a PIA. My question is the length of the rod to compress with them removed from the car seems straight forward but did you use them for removal and installation? I kept mine compressed for install. How did you address that or did you not compress the springs for removal and install. Just wondering.
The first one I did with a crummy strut compressor and struggled mightily.
On this one I used these compressors to compress the spring. I then left it compressed, removed it and set it on the bench. I then changed out the bump stop, bellows, spring pad, etc. I then replaced the spring, installed the new top mount, and then released the tension and removed the compressor. Far and away easier than struggling with that strut compressor contraption.
The first one I did with a crummy strut compressor and struggled mightily.
On this one I used these compressors to compress the spring. I then left it compressed, removed it and set it on the bench. I then changed out the bump stop, bellows, spring pad, etc. I then replaced the spring, installed the new top mount, and then released the tension and removed the compressor. Far and away easier than struggling with that strut compressor contraption.
I have to add, I too got a set of these compressors and used them to put all the parts of the system back. They allowed a little release at a time, even with air.
I used the Vevor one to take it apart, as just setting on the bottom spring holder and the second top spring let me compress the whole thing a lot less.
In all cases the spring is chained to the machine or to the vise. Normally used a 20 ton press, much easier with these, as you can see they flare out at the top, which enables all kinds of ways to turn the completely exposed nut on the end of the long bolt.
Just my opinion.
HF Press/cjd777 Shock Mount Install
