Hi all-I'm a "newbie" here on the forum. I have purchased a 2001 XKR, BRG over tan. A rare car I found in Florida and its now in San Diego. Have gotten all the codes fixed, smogged and registered.

the shocks are bad, big clunking noises from the rear. it has the CATS system. I've read lots about it from previous posts but wanted to get some current input from members.

Is it possible to install reg. Bilstein shocks front and rear, disconnect the CATS module in the trunk and not disable or disturb any critical safety systems and not trigger any warning lights or trouble codes? My Jag mechanic is skeptical.

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

Yes. You can do exactly as you describe. It's been covered a bunch, so I suggest search for CATS or "stability failure"

Also, congrats on the pickup. Enjoy!

 

You don't mention the miles on the car, but I doubt the shocks are bad. It's more likely the shock mounts, which are not very expensive. Replace both upper and lower, the spring isolator and the pigtail spring seat (lower seat).

Lower shock mounts used to be very expensive, but you can buy them for around $12 now.

 

As said, just replace the mounts. The shocks are probably fine. The clunking is from the mounts. Uppers are just foam and it doesn't take much before metal hits metal.

 

the car has 112,000 miles

 

If it were a xk8 I would just change the rear shocks at that mileage, but you're looking at much greater expense if you change all four to standard.

Changing just the rears and disconnecting the fronts will result in the fronts being in sport mode and the resulting hard ride which may not be a good combination.

Inspect the upper mounts on the front. If they haven't been replaced and are crumbling that's another point to consider.

Since you're not doing the work yourself the economics of switching all four to standard and replacing the front upper mounts and spring pads might be a reasonable choice. The new rear shocks will have new mounts and you would just need the isolators and lower pads.

 

112K miles is on the bubble for keep vs. replace(<90K in a non corrosive environment, definitely keep the original CATS shocks), but with 112K I still would probably only do the bushings/mounts.

 

Just as a hint:
The rear of my XKR makes the "clunk" noise also, coming primarily from the lower mounts.

So I exchanged the rear shocks (with CATS) on my MY 2004 XKR two months ago, car has run 110.000 KM ( might be ~80.000 miles) at this point, and the old shocks -not only the bushings- were definitely worn out. I think, if a car is older than 15 years, there's not so much hope for the shocks being really good.

I bought the Bilstein-OEM B4-ACD for around 252,00 EUR per side. I think, if you can get a price near that in the US, it's not worth the hassle with disabling the CATS-module or changing the mounts only.

Greetings!
Wolf

 

Is the Euro about the same as US dollar? the best price I can find on the CATS is about $325.

 

THM is $284 with Free shipping.

I have ordered parts from THM with no issues.

Unlike the std bilsteins, it looks like the rears don't come with boots/foam. but you'd need these to rebush the old shocks, anyway.

 

ATM this would've been 266$. I bought them from britishparts, as here it's cheaper to send something from here to GB (Bilstein is a German Company) , let it lay around there - and ship it back to Germany

Mine came with the foam parts, maybe in the US its not the same...

You may eventualy search for the Bilstein Part# 20-070823.

Good luck!
Wolf

 

https://thmotorsports.com/bilstein/b...i-1735966.aspx

 

My mechanic didn't like the idea either. Go online to AJUSA.com and check out their prices for the correct Bilsteins. Amanda helped me a few months ago.

I also replaced my foam upper front strut mount with the Welsh Polyurethane mounts. they are 1.2 the price of OEM mounts and the car handles soooo much better. Nit harsh, just positive. My old mounts were causing a feeling like there was something loose in the steering but no more!!!

 

You are correct. the ones I linked to were for XJ's I need to increase the font size on my Monitor.

$325 appears to be the cheapest you can get them in the US.

 

Not to high jack this tread but my 97 XJ6 has the same issue in the rear. Since I'm planning to start back driving it this summer and the car has 194,786 miles shocks may need replacing but I have not checked close. I was thinking about Bilstein B6 rather that the orginal equipment B4. My car does not have the self leveling system. Any thoughts on my plan?

 

You will get more useful response by starting a thread on the X300 forum for the 95-97 XJ6

 

are you referring to the fronts? the clunking is coming from the rears.

 

The rear upper mounts are foam also. In addition, the upper spring isolator is foam.

 

I get killed every time I say this, but given the lifespan of shocks, I don't see much price delta/savings in $150 vs $360 each. I know less is better, but its a part that lasts 15 years/100k miles and is integral to the ride of the car.

IMO, like tires, a good place to spend money for the quality part without compromise.

However, to each their own and I wish you the best outcome whatever you decide.

Enjoy!
dsd

 

There is a large concave washer on the shock that is kept from banging on the top of the rear shock mount (top hat) by a foam patty. When the foam crumbles away, the washer bangs on the top hat.

These foam pieces are included with new shocks, but need to be purchased separately for a shock rebush.

Then you only need a new spring cup foam donut to isolate any banging potential from the top rear.