I am doing some repair & maintenance work on my 97 XK8 with 45k miles on it. Brakes and rotors need replacing and one shock is blown. So I am going to replace both shocks with new Bilsteins and replace the upper and lower shock mounts, bumper stops and the spring seats.
My purpose in doing this and the other preventive maintenance I am planning is to get 5 years or 50k miles of trouble free service from my Jag. With this in mind my question is : since I am down there doing all that other work on the suspension should I go ahead and replace the swing arm and anti-roll bar bushings with new Powerflex bushings? I'm sure the stock ones are still good but how about 35k miles from now?


Thanks

 

Don't assume any rubber on the car is good. You have it all apart, replace them.

Regarding Powerflex vs OEM, you will get differing opinions. I prefer the Powerflex upper control arm bushings over OEM, and I have tried both. If you were to not use Powerflex, get Jaguar OEM bushings, as others have had fitment issues with some aftermarket.

Also, just for clarification there are no lower shock mounts to replace. The new shocks come with lower bushings installed.

 

Keep in mind it's not the miles but time that deteriorates some of the items on these cars, it looks like you found a good shape low mileage one which I wish you the best of luck, bushings, seals, many of the plastic pieces in the engine box so many here do as you are, change parts while they are in a area and be done with it.

 

I once had the opportunity to try two 2001 XK8's on the same day with almost equivalent mileage - not much to choose between them.

One was then re-bushed front and rear plus new shockers all round and I tried them back to back again. The transformation was unbelievable. You never realise just how much suspension wears and ride quality deteriorates with age.

Do the bushes with either OE or Poly as you prefer. Well worth the time and effort.

Graham

 

Hello, I replaced all my bushing (front and rear) and ball joints (upper and lower) about 3 weeks ago.

I used Purple PowerFlex for the bushings and Lemforder for the ball joints, my car now is 101200 miles on it and WOW what a difference it is like driving a new car.

I have NO more squeaking when going over bumps, the car tracks better, sure you feel the bump but only once not 3 or 4 times, less sway, quieter ride and even smoother.

Best maintenance I ever did, not cheap but in reality for what it did, it was cheap... Great bang for the buck...

Remember
Happy Motoring...

 

Thanks for all the good advice. I will go ahead and do the bushings. However, how about the ball joints? Again, at 45k I would think they have plenty of life left but I will defer to the wisdom of more experienced owners.

 

Anyone have problems with squeaking using the urethane bushings? I read some reviews where they had problems with squeaking after a few thousand miles.

 

Some have reported this, particularly in very cold weather. I have not had any noise issues. You do need to use plenty of the appropriate grease when assembling.

 

Guys, When you speak of changing the bushings like this, do you assume the lower wishbone bushings are part of the job? I ask because I recently read an article about the comlexity and $$$ involved in that.

Besides that, how much is within the capabilities of a novice mechanic like myself?

Thanks,

 

You could potentially do all of it if you have the right tools. The worst are the lower wishbone bushings because they require much pressure to get them in and out. A press is advisable. The sway bar links are easy, the sway bar bushings are not that hard either. When doing the upper wishbone bushings, make sure to put the washers exactly as they were, otherwise you could throw your alignment further off. You should do the lower wishbone bushings. Remember, those are just as old as the rest of the bushings in the car.

 

Thanks, I may just take this on. Graham's comments sure did get me thinking. I appreciate the input mate.

 

It is all do'able by a novice mechanic, but it is not all easy to do. I am a novice mechanic and managed it but it was tricky in parts, especially the lower wishbone ball joint due to the shape of the wishbone.


I did it with a C-clamp but it would be much easier with a press. Look back trough some of my longer threads to see all the steps.