Removing and installing Jaguar XK8 (100) front Lower Wishbone bushings is one of the bigger challenges faced by the Jaguar do it your selfer. Photo 1, Replacement Bushings - Forward (red dot) and rear. There are several posts that describe how to remove the Lower Wishbone, so I’ll assume you have it out and on your workbench. My car interestingly does not have the eccentric bolts for the tire alignment so I guess the alignment tech will have his hands full. First, you’ll have to take apart the Lower Wishbone using a T60 Torex while still on the car. Or as I did by removing it in one piece. Once you have the two parts separated you can examine the bushings to determine if they should be replaced. Let’s say they do.

To remove the bushing, I used a bearing separator and a 1 ¼ socket as illustrated pressing out the old bushing. Photo 2, Bearing Separator Work diligently to separate the arm from the bushing ledge tightening the separator to get a good surface to press. Once the bearing separator has a good grip on the Control Arm the bearing should press out. I used a 12-ton press. I will admit I trashed the first bushing trying to figure out the better way to remove it with the bearing separator. Once they were removed, I cleaned up the control arm openings with fine (1000) emery paper.

I placed the bushing in the freezer a few days before ensuring they were contracted about as much as possible. Also, I preheated the Control Arms to minimize the pressing when finally organized all the equipment to press them together.

Photo 1, Replacement Bushings - Forward (red dot) and rear.


Photo 3, The plumbing fittings


. Photo 2, Bearing Separator


Photo 4, Pressing the Bushing into the Control Arm.

The next item was to press in the frozen bushing into the newly warmed control arm. What is needed is a flat surface wide and strong enough to withstand the 12-ton pressure. The special tool I came up with is a plumbing coupler fitting with a wide surface that would completely cover the surface and an inset to keep it centered. Photo 3, The plumbing fittings. Although subsequently the center pipe was not needed. My concern was the rubber. Would it cut away or separate from the housing and trash the part. Come to find out it could withstand the pressure and bounced right back to its original shape. Photo 4, Pressing the Bushing into the Control Arm.

 

Well done....

 

Thank You!

 

Nice... I have a guy that presses things out. Morningstar Auto on Staten Island... I assumed that these were such fighters that I was to core drill out the centers and chip and cut the sleeves. Seeing this, maybe I'll take them off and run them by and see what John can do!