Noticed that my 2004 XKR Convertible is lower in the front then I remember. Checked ride height and yes its an 1 1/2" lower. My Headlights point down and my front Tyres are worn on the inside. I got 100k miles coming up and the springs are the original orange marked.
Do those springs on the struts get soft? What part needs help?

 

Springs do sag with age, and road conditions can contribute. But the upper shock mounts would the place to start. The lower mounts are probably bad also, and the shocks may be ready for replacement.

If you don't have interactive shocks they aren't too expensive, and new ones should include lower mounts.

 

The Upper Shock mount compresses 3/8" over time. Welsh sells New uppers on E-bay for $160/pair. This will get at least 1/2 of the lost height back.

Springs are loose during the shock mount replacement, so you could swap in new ones for another $150/pair to get back to original height.

at 100K miles, you'll likely find other issues - torn ball joint boots, bad lower shock mount, deteriorated wishbone bushings... its a slippery slope, but the car will ride/sit like new when you are done.

 

Hi Mendo xk, read " what did I work on today..." from 3/12 to give you insight of results Rich

 

Mine was that low at 100k, since these cars usually need the full Monty done to the bushing and shocks and springs I just did all of mine. Raised it back to where it should be

 

Thanks for all validating my guesses.
Rebuilt the front and rear suspension on my 2006 Coupe a couple years ago at 100K. Don't currently have the time and money to do the full job so I will just do a full strut rebuild on the 2004.

Cheers

 

Mendo,

You will want to do the upper bushings if not done recently. You have to take it off to do strut rebuild, and if shock top mount is bad I bet the upper back bushing is also bad as they take a beating from braking.

Jack front off the ground and grab wheel at 10 and 2 and try to push and then pull. Bet there will be slack. At as low as $20 each or another $80 you don't want to disassemble and put back in as they are the ones that will allow lean in and the tire wear you are trying to fully remedy.

I had a very smart Jag Tech tell me he doesn't see spring sag as a regular thing. Saved me I would have sworn it had sag as much as mine was down. I replaced all parts except the shock and spring and the front end is exactly on spec now.

Here is another reason you don't want to leave bad upper back bushing in, every time you brake you are hammering the hole in aluminum the bolt goes through and will cause the hole to become oblong causing an issue not easily fixed.

I would advise removing brake disc to reduce the weight as you need to be careful not to damage the ball joint boot if they are not already torn the rubber will be brittle.