Hello--I have a 2006 XK8 with 51,350 miles. No rust. My mechanic has said I don't need any suspension work right now, though he notes visible aging in bushes (small cracking). But, my suspension rubber is all 20 years old, and it squeaks from multiple points over bumps. Ride is good, though. Noise is espcially noticeable from the left rear shock area. Everything under there is original, according to two knowledgeable mechanics--except the front shock top mounts, which were replaced at some point with the yellow ones. The bolts are still centered in the mounts.

I want to have a suspension renewal done, and I'd rathe err on too-much over too-little, but I don't want to replace things that may have years more life left in them--if there are any such things. Assuming everything is still serviceable, what would folks here want done at this point, to replace the tired stuff? (Shocks are original; I assume I'll want to replace those.)

 

Phillip, spend a little time on the search engine about top shock mounts and I'm sure you will see there is a better mouse trap, so to speak.
Give me a PM with a phone number and I'll try to lead you in the right direction.
Glad you have a mechanic that will look after you, a big plus.

 

with such low mileage, I wouldn't expect issues with shocks or springs themselves but the upper mounts (front and rear), the bump stops and all bushings would be my starting point, As Wayne suggested - reach out to him and he will guide you in the right direction

 

Thanks Steve--just had a most useful 40-min. conversation with him and he agrees; he just went into some details about what I'll need and where to get it.

 

Care to post that information here? Or is it available elsewhere?

 

I'm sure it is but I don't know exactly where and I'm happy to summarize. For a car with @50K miles on it, typically you're looking at front and rear shocks, with shock top mounts and lower bushings, bellows, and bump stops. Also front and rear sway bar links. He suggested sourcing the shocks (in the U.S.) from Rock Auto. They are $108 each. The rears come with the bushings. Sway bar links he suggests getting with three spacers; the ones with just a single rubber washer are not as good.

 

Awesome - thanks!

 

While discussing the needs of a low mileage vehicle, especially the XK8, it is important to know that Phillip was not going to do the work and if paying for replacement on shocks or even the lower mounts in the near future, this was not a choice but a just bit the bullet and get new shocks. If you are going to be able to replace them at a later time, fine take a chance and just get the lower bushings on the shocks. Be aware the bushings are close to half the price of a shock, if you buy the good ones, I have found that DP off Ebay have a good price, the rears were close to $75 with tax and shipping for a pair of rears. As info they are different from the front, larger bolt size on the rears.
I just did my rears and could feel the lower bushing needed help, so got those on the way before the job. Speaking of the top bushing in the rears coming with bushings, they do not come with the large donut like the front and must be purchased separately except if you are getting poly from baxtor. Thinking I was good on the front, turned out the lowers were bad also and the shock on the driver's side was very slow to rebound, so just ordered new ones.
My car has 65K and the bump stops were gone in the front and the rear were non existent, so it's not the wear and tear on a lot of these parts that are made of foam, it's just over time they become dust.
The 3 washer rear sway bar link is really a one bushing you cut in half, then it gives you a good thick bushing on both sides of the rear arm.
Each car is different and has been maintained by different owners, so no set in stone way to say if the A arms need attention without giving them a good pry or look for off center bolts. A U joint will show up with a clunk when turning into a driveway as a general rule.
Hoses were something Phillip's mechanic went over before purchasing the car, so I felt no need for discussion but a close look at the connections is a good idea. Of course, have someone look at the readings from a OBD II to make sure, but that nothing is going on, but Jaguar is really really good about throwing a light on if something is wrong.
Good luck and don't forget SNG does give us on the Forum 10% off.