I would just go ahead and order,,, see what happens. Just the ONE cheapest item to begin. Or, ask a forum member in the UK to receive and forward it to you...? With all you need the savings would still be worth it, no? Use "Interparcel" as the shipper. I got a XJS down pipe sent for $25usd to NYC...not long ago.

 

NevadaXK8, Here is the link from rothwell: https://www.welshent.com/Jaguar-Uppe...ir-P26376.aspx
This is for the shock mount, I received it in three days. As for the shocks and upper bushings, order them from Rock Auto.
The shocks are Blistein and the lowest price. Can't go wrong with both these vendors.

 

Well done, SkuBee! You're right

 

"Get er done" that's what a few friends told me when I received the new shocks, upper bushings and shock mounts. I did the repair yesterday and what a difference!
The job wasn't that bad. Of course you're going to run into a few frozen nuts and bolts, but that's to be expected. Just apply copper grease to make any future repairs easier. The most difficult part was figuring out how to use the spring compressor. Get five of the coils in the compressor to get enough compression to release the shock mount. Also, make sure the shock mount is perpendicular to the shock otherwise it binds on the shock shaft and won't release. If it's perfectly perpendicular, the shock mount becomes loose and will remove with ease.

The Results: No more noise. Very tight and responsive front end. Feels factory new. It was 14" before and now 15.25" I realize it's supposed to be 15.75" but I'm okay with the results. The only other thing I can see that would bring it to factory height is the spring, but I'm happy with the results so I opted out.

Rothwell said earlier in this thread (and he wasn't kidding):
If you are so deep into the suspension as pulling the strut you might as well tackle the upper control arm bushings. Why? Because...

• 90% of the time they are worn anyway - even when they "feel tight" that is just the old hard rubber masking the wear inside
• they really are only good for about 50K miles before wear starts affecting the ride
• changing them more often will prevent "beast repair" from happening (waiting = trouble)
• they are not that expensive - around $100 IIRC

If you remove the pin then you for sure need to replace them. It takes just a few minutes more to do so at that point.

The bushings I replaced were shot. Hard and crumbling. By replacing them, the steering is tighter and I no longer hear/feel that binding sound you get from an uneven road.

The shock bushing was ALSO shot! I mean really bad, so I know I got extra height with a new one. If it's an older shock, forget replacing the shock bushing, just replace the whole thing as a new shock comes with a new bushing and a new shock is only a few dollars more than a replacement shock bushing.

Thank you to everyone here on this thread giving their advice and experience, this is a great forum!
(Next month, I'm redesigning the subwoofer box for the best possible results. I want to put that one to rest for good. I'll create a thread for it.)

 

Well done. The results achieved from replacing the various suspension components in these cars are indeed splendid. Any XK8/XKR still riding around on its factory shock mounts and bushings needs this suspension work done as soon as possible....

 

Only because life is almost, not quite, a question on the road springs.
The parts guide lists the road springs for 1998 XK8 as JLM20711, I found JLM20712 available and they are listed for the 1997 XK8. Anyone know if they would work?

 

JLM20711 is convertible, JLM20712 coupe. The convertible is slightly heavier, but ISTR the ride height is the same, so presumably there must be some difference in the spring rate?

 

Glad it worked out well for you. I just replaced my upper mounts today for the third time in 6 years. So far, it hasn't gotten any easier.

The new car ride is a just reward for all the work it takes.

 

Indeed, it's not easy, but the reward is worth it. You almost need to be a contortionist to get the spacers in place between the bushings.
Hopefully the copper grease will help for future repairs. All of the washers from the bushing all fell out when removed. It took me awhile to figure out which were spacers and which were loose washers from the bushings.