Okay guys, I finally made my mind up to replace the rear shocks and bushes on the rear of my XK8. I've had them laying in the garage for six months. I found Gus' write up on prying down the diff plate and some good info, and I've made some good progress so far removing fasteners. I've got the four bolts out of the diff plate, the top shock plate nuts off (4 each side). I've gotten the lower shock mount nuts off and one of the long bolts out (the other seems to be seized in there). Now, I am ashamed to admit it, but I don't have a workshop manual, I thought I had a PDF somewhere, but can't find it. It's like when I had the serpentine belt off my Range Rover, I figured the diagrams would be everywhere, but when I needed one I couldn't find one. Now, I can't find a diagram that says if there are any more fasteners. I know there one in the interior of the car somewhere, or it sure feels like the top of the shock is still connected up top. Can anybody tell me where the nut is for the top of the rear shocks ? I don't want to do any more damage than I have to (vert BTW). This is one detail I didn't think about. TIA much.

 

Jimmy, the nut is on top of the bell. Here is a diagram, but you are in for fun time. I hope it all drops out for you as advertised.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Jagu...6i8BELdlJXk5M:

Wayne

 

Okay, well the struts didn't exactly fall out, but I was able to get the LH side strut out. I did have to jack up the shock to get it out of the spring pan - I'm not a body builder, but all-in-all the method works with some niggling. The problem I have now is the seized bolt in the bottom of the RH shock mount. I saw a utube video that said cut it, no other way, so I'm trying that. PITA. So, my son will report my obit if I don't make it.