So far having fun, this is the biggest job I have ever done on a car but thought I would give it a try. before this i have changed light bulbs and windshield blades.

My car is riding very low on the front end, so I took out the strut assembly (a mechanic told me my springs are shot). My questions are:

1. how do I know if the shocks are bad?
2. I read about the mount collapsing, how can I tell if that happened?

Thanks!!!!

 

Scott, the upper mounts look to be shot, about $175 each. The lower shock bushings look to be shot, about $40-$100 each depending on where you buy them. The shocks do not appear to be leaking and may still be okay. The springs look a little misshaped but you probably need a mechanic to check them out. The shock/spring assembly is under compression and needs to be carefully/safely released at a shop before you can replace the upper mount. There is a more detailed post on how to do this work. After the fix you will note a marked improvement in ride quality.

Cheers.

 

Start here....https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...t=35864&page=3

Post 25 shows what the shock mounts should look like versus what yours do look like. Get a really good spring compressor, IE one that uses an impact gun to compress the springs if you have any delusion of doing the assembly and dis-assembly in the garage. Otherwise let a shop w/ a proper spring compressor do the job. You will be glad you did. As was previously stated the lower bushings look to be toast as well. As for the spring it's probably a bit out of whack due to the pancaked strut mount.

Additionally, get some white out and draw a line parallel to the shock on th bottom of the shock where the white ring and black rings are up onto the spring. It will help you keep your alignment in check. (and before I get flamed for this, yes I am aware you should have it aligned)

 

Shocks are cheaper than bushings + pressing them in. $95 approx, consider that when you continue. You still have to do the upper mounts, but the lower bushings are obviously part of the shock. You get new bushings AND shock for the price of what a bushing would cost.

 

Thanks all, I am ordering the parts. Good links and good advice on purchasing the shock unit.