The ride in my newly acquired 2006 XK8 rides very hard on most surfaces. The sway bar bushings were recently replaced so I took a look at the front shock mounts and they re crumbling. Time for a replacement on both sides.

My first question is....with the car having 60,000 miles do the shocks require replacement as well?

Second question....do the rear shocks require replacement if the front are replaced?

Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

At that mileage you should only need to replace the fronts if the lower bushings are worn and you don't want to mess with pressing in new bushings. The lower bushings are about $25 each and new shocks that include the lower bushing are about $100 each. I went the route of pressing the lower bushings on mine but it was a PITA and I will opt for new shocks next time.

For the rears I would just get new shocks since they come with all required bushings except the donut one in the upper mount. By the time you buy all the bushings that come with a new rear shock you are almost at the $100 mark plus you have the same need for pressing the lower bushing as the fronts. So for me it was best to just buy new rear shocks and the donuts.

I got upper front mounts from Welsh, some of the shock parts at Rock Auto, some at FCP Euro.

 

Thanks for the info. I think I'll replace the front shocks to start. I'll catch up w/ the rears in a few months. My wallet is taking a beating so. it'll have to wait. Also, I'll have the front shock mounts replaced as well. New front shocks, new front shock mounst and the sway bar bushing having been replaced a few hundred miles ago and I should be alright for the time being.

I think over time I'll have this convertible sorted out. The convertible top hydraulics were just replaced so were the tires and brakes all around. I'm hoping to keep this car healthy and enjoy it for a few more years.

Thanks again for the info.

 

I should have mentioned that I have yet to install all the new parts I bought for the rear since my original parts are still fine at 87K miles.

I'd bet your rears are similar and holding up well.

 

@ Rothwell,

I'm thinking the rear shocks will hold up to around 80 or 90K miles like yours. That could be many years from now for my car since I'll only drive it 3 to 4k miles a year. Thanks again for the info.

 

I just replaced the upper mounts at 51K mi. The lowers were still good, but I wonder where to buy the lowers at $25, haven't seen that.

 

I paid that a couple years ago so prices have bumped up a bit.

Several ebay vendors are offering them for just over $30 w/ shipping included.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Shock-Mount-F...53AB/227977158


Also Welsh offers them for $35.95 plus shipping.

 

I'm wary of URO parts. A couple of guys have reported having to replace them after a year or two. My local indie will not use them. Maybe the quality has improved and I should give them a try, rather than replace the shocks.