03 Xk8, looking from inside the engine bay at the top of the shocks, you can see what appears to be mount clumps of rubber or what ever coming up. I clean them out and more works it way on top there. I know the car shakes at 65mph + and the front end in general is a bit loose in that when I go over bumps it is not tight as much I would think. You can feel extra shaking then normal for a convert I think.

 

Yes the mounts are gone, but if the the shaft of the shock is still centered in the hole, that may not be what feels loose. All the bushings in the suspension need to be checked, and the ball joints and sway bar links.
But the shaking at speed may be wheel balance. You don't mention how many miles on the car or how old the tires are.

 

I will check but I recall the shaft still centered.
It is a 03 with 95k. It does have new tires on the front that is out of align so I would bet it could take care of some of the shake at hwy speeds.

 

Common problem with XK8's. I just replaced mine on my 03 at 87K and they were about 50% shot. A shock mount usualy will not cause a shack at speed, you may have other issues. I replaced everything under the car on the front except the springs and still feel the XK8 steering is not as tight as I would expect.

 

how hard is it to replace those top mounts on the shocks? Run of the mill tools work?

 

If you do a search you will find many threads on replacement. I believe Gus has a video at jagrepair.com, also.

 

I still feel my front end sits too low into the wheel wells but have been told here that is normal for an 03? If it is sitting to low is that bad shocks? Nothing rubs when I turn just seems way to low.

 

I just finished replacing the shock mounts on my 05 XK8; hardest part was compressing the spring to install the new mount (new shocks, too). Most responders here report no real trouble compressing the spring, but my tools were near their limit and there was about three inches remaining. So, I took them into a local front end shop and they compressed the springs and put on the upper mount for me. Cost $20/side (plus $2 tax), a real value in my view.

The Rev Sam has a good video demonstration under the 'sticky' section.

 

Do a search on the forum and you will find the correct ride height then measure and compare. Shock absorbers (with certain specialised exemptions) do not affect ride height although worn top mounts can and would.

 

if your mounts are bad you are too low. and you will need an alignment when done as it corrects camber drop which greatly affect toe settings. Hance the importance of proper ride height when alignment is done or the correct comphensation for those that are lowered on purpose.

 

well with the red'ish (I think that was the color) color stuff coming up and sitting on top of the shock towers and the car sitting to low I think, I would thye are shot!

 

And if you look at top of springs in wheel well you will see the pads are compressed and falling apart. All part of the same job.

 

Front ride height should be 15.75" from center of wheel to fender lip, lucky if you even get to 15.25 with old springs.

 

brgjag, go ahead and get the shocks, you will really be surprised how weak the original shock bushings are. The bushings in USA are more than the shock in a lot of cases, if time is not a issue, order the bushing from Ebay in England, about $35 each with shipping. Taking all the components to a shop, as advised, is general the best.
Wayne

 

Just replaced the shocks and upper mounts at 54K miles. The shock mounts were still in very good condition and I wish I hadn't replaced them. But I was in there anyway. (got a good used pair for free. See my thread on strut).

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...erhaul-118883/

 

removing everything isnt to hard. buy shocks while your at it as the lower shock bushings are probably shot also can get the spring compressor from oriellys they'll rent it out for a deposit which you get back when you return it . am sure other auto parts stores do the same. can get a kit and rebuild the mounts yourself from motorcars ltd. id see what someone wants to recompress the springs after you get them apart as trying to keep everything centered is a chore. when installing you can use a pipe wrench to turn the shock barrel to line up the lower bushing . might also consider changing the upper control arm bushings while everythings apart .

 

Fronts are about 14.5, WAY low.

 

All good advice above. Sitting that low may mean new coil springs are in order too. The shock mount will account for about 1/2 an inch or so. The rest will be bad lower strut bushings or coil springs.

A word of caution on the new shock mounts. If the studs are powder coated or painted, clean the off to bare metal first. Otherwise you WILL ruin one or more. Several forums guys have run into this problem, including myself.

 

My 03 front was at 14.5 before I replaced everything but the springs, I'm now at 15.5.

 

At 14.5" you will not be able to get an alignment within factory specs. You'll not be able to set camber. The shock mounts need to be replaced to get enough height back to align.