I have a new 1998 XK8 Convertible in great condition. It has 33,000 original miles that has been reqularly serviced I have a random high pitch queek that appears to be coming from the area of the steering wheel or dash. I sounds like a bird chirping and the sound is sometimes loud and sometimes soft and everything in between.

Any ideas as to what this might be or what to look for?

 

We're you able to solve yours? I have what sounds like the same annoying sound within my 2006 XK8. Mine is somewhere within the dash, to the right of my steering wheel - in around my climate control/stereo component cluster. It kind of sounds like metal against metal. I'll post my findings ... but ask if you or anyone else has solved a non stop (behind the dash), high pitched squeak on theirs. Plus, I'll keep searching the forum.

 

check your upper shock mounts - they are a foam between 2 metal plates which will disintegrate over time. It will give you this sound when they are shot

 

many areas might be causing that but an easy to check (and quite often the culprit) i at the base of the windshield, the air vents. Determine if you can stop the noise when it occurs by simply pressing on the vent outlet. If that is it I resolved the issue by rolling some black felt into tight lengths and wedging it between the ws and dash, it is undetectable unless there is a bright light behind my head focusing directly at the ws/dash area.
If not then disassembly is in your future.

wj

 

+1 upper shock mounts

 

WOW, you guys are good! Upper shock mounts.

Mine looked fine. I replaced them a couple years ago with the Welsh Enterprises version. But WD-40 proved that this was my problem.

I'm so glad I checked this Forum first! I was convinced that it was happening from inside the vehicle.

 

You installed the Welsh polyurethane upper shock mounts just a couple of years ago? If so, that is the earliest I remember anyone posting an issue with them....

 

Yes.

To be fair I checked. Closer to 3 years: April 25, 2016.Jaguar XK8 (1997-2006) Shock Mount Kit Pair - MJA2170BDPR

 

The Welsh poly upper front shock mounts were installed on my wife's 2006 XK8 on January 3rd, 2016 (along with new Bilstein shocks and new upper control arm poly bushings). They continue to be silent and behave perfectly. Granted, as of October 30th, 2018 her XK8 is no longer her daily driver. It has done less than 20,000 miles since the Welsh components were installed....

 

Can you update us with more details when you replace them? Some pics, time/mileage, driving conditions, climate, were shocks replaced, bump stops, etc..

I had hoped these from Welsh would last longer than that.

 

Sure.

The date above what when I purchased them. I believe the install was a reasonably short number of days after that. Likely within 7 days.

I replaced the shocks at the same time too.

It's my daily driver, so there has been perhaps 20,000 miles put on it since the install.

Driving conditions are great. Some secondary (paved) roads, some Interstate. No bumps. All paved. No hills. Here on the East Coast of Virginia.

I did not check torque or anything else. I simply had a very annoying squeak that I thought was inside the car, in around the middle of the dash, in around my climate control / stereo cluster. It sounds like metal against metal & was pretty constant.

For now I sprayed WD-40 down on to the top of the shock mount & the 3 bolts - on each side. The squeak is gone. I'll likely leave it for now & see how long it takes for the squeak to come back. I'll probably check the torque on the bolts next, but I'm heading out on business for a few days so it won't be right away.

Attached are pictures of how each look, from the top.

Might be just a fluke? Might be my install? I'm no professional. Just a hacker that loves his Jaguar XK8 ... & this forum. Certainly not one worthy of providing advice to others. Simply a seeker of advice from the experts.

Hope this helps.

 

Mine have worn out too. Age 20 months as per Welsh receipt. Figure about 18,000 miles. I do drive it like a sports car often enough.

John

 

Damn! I was hoping those were a "one & done" install. Guess not.

 

Yes indeed, that is disappointing. But our Welsh components are holding up quite solidly after three years. I will keep an eye and an ear on them....

 

Update

4 months ago I gave my (front) upper shock mounts (& nuts) a few light squirts of WD-40 from overhead, under the hood & the annoying squeak was gone. I was going to go back to check the torque of the nuts, but completely forgot until now because I haven't hear a single squeak. If it didn't need an alignment after the install, I would have simply replaced them right then and there. But my last alignment at the dealer cost me almost $2,000 for some shims???

 

Wow $2000 ? Hopefully there was some vaseline included with those shims. You shoulda checked with the knowledgeable folks here before pulling that trigger.

 

You guys are Awesome! Just got the wife a 2006 XK8 and it had that squeak which was driving her nuts. I did the WD-40 trick and it's gone!!! Thanks for the great tip!

 

I had that annoying squeek on my 2003. Found a Jaguar service memo that suggest checking the torque of the bolts that attach the diagonal brace between the front shock tower to the bulkhead under the wind shield. I had just replaced the front shocks and had moved that brace aside after removing the attaching nuts. Sure enough, both of the bolts on the bulkhead side had loosened. After re-torque no more squeek!

 

We confirm Jon's post regarding the status of the Welsh Poly Mounts. They were installed at 115K miles and now have 146K miles (31K miles) , completed 10/13/15. No evidence of deterioration at this time. Do not anticipate any need for replacement in my future.

 

So glad it helped someone else too! It's been more than 7 months since my WD-40 test & still no squeak. It's about time I checked the torque on those bolts though...