Hi folks, finally got into fixing my clunk thanks to Rev Sam. Got some OEM bushes MJA2102CE and set to work.
Got the RH drivers side out which was disintigrated, about 2/3 of it left, so locked the clunk. The passenger side bush is perfect.

However when I took off the passenger side it has a plastic ring (see pic) that fits perfectly in the groove on the inside of the bush. The driver side one is gone probably because it was damaged so much or wasnt even there.

I wasn't supplied this part and surprised its not sold with the bush however I still have my car jacked up.

I phoned up the Jag dealer who supplied the new bushes and they and the technician had never heard of this part, so thought I'd come to the place that knows everything.

Has anyone come across this? I can't google it anywhere.

I'm tempted just to put the new bushes in but this ring looks like it has been designed to go with the bush.

Pic2 is plastic ring with me spreading the new bush.

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Old bushes above!!!

Can anyone cast a bit of light on this?



Cheers
__________________

 

dont know cant see them!

 

+1

Stan,

Pic links give error message about your GMail account being temporarily unavailable.

Graham

 

dang, wish I could see what he's referring too. Sway bar bushings don't have any metal on them, at least the OEM one's don't...heck, I don't even know where a ring would be used in that application!

 

Sorry about the pics I have uploaded them in jpg
Ring is plastic, not metal.

 

The culprit and his passenger side twin!!

 

I'm a little miffed, how did you get the 'plastic' ring OFF the sway bar if the bushings themselves are split to allow removal and installation?

 

Hi H20boy, by the way it was your instruction post I used not Rev Sam, I used Rev for the correct jacking points.

Yes everybody I have spoken to has no idea about this. I went into the Jag dealer workshop on Thursday and spoke to the technicians there (they were actually doing a tensioner job on an XKR at the time) and showed them the ring and they had never seen anything like it despite doing many sway bar bush jobs but they are going to check with Jag UK. So they reckon an enthusiast has done this himself at some time. Strange eh?! They told me just to put the new bushes on as is, so finished it last night in about 45mins.

The plastic ring has a split in it also so it comes off the bar in the same way as the old bushes. But it fits so perfectly and actually makes sense to me as I'm not sure why there is a groove in the bush first place.

Incidently, I managed to do this job without removing the wheels or the ends of the sway bar. Just lifted the bar whilst sliding the new bush into place and then fitted the bracket at the same time. Then I found it much easier to put the bolts in the driver side (RH) from under the car but the passenger side from up top. I'd torque from up top though for both.

I'd really love to know about these plastic rings though.

Cheers everyone I think my next job might be that oil and temp gauge mod for actual readings.

 

While replacing my swaybar rubber bushings, I found the same plastic ring that Andy mentioned. However, instead of finding it on the pass side of the swaybar, it was on the drivers side. After searching for a second ring, I decided to simply make a new one out of 1" ID PVC tubing. It was simple enough to cut off a 3/8" slice and split in it so it could slip onto the bar. As Andy noted, there is an groove molded into the inside of the rubber bushing to accommodate this ring.

Most people have not noticed these, or their swaybars do not have them. IMO this little ring doesn't do anything functional, but I replaced the missing one anyhow. I am thinking they might serve some kind of locating function during production assembly.

 

Do not use sam's video on the bushes unless he rectified it.
But what sam is doing is extremely dangerous as he is putting the swaybar under tension by jacking only one side of the car up.

Correct way is to jack both sides of the front end up so both front wheels are free off the ground. Only then you can startmworking safely on the swaybar.

 

You are correct. Both lower A-arms (control arms) need to be unloaded when the sway bar brackets are removed. If nothing else, if one side of the bar is attached and/or under load, it would make it much more difficult to jiggle the bar around in order to slip on the new bushing. g.

 

Yes, I had both wheels jacked up at the same time also but didnt take the wheels off nor release the end of the bar, nor lock up the bonnet. Only took the brackets off. This is actually a very easy job when you've done it once and you are using split bushes of course. I reckon that ring will make the bush last longer as it will minimise the longitudinal flex. Cheers everyone.

 

The key is to loosen and tighten the bracket bolts from the top; while replacing bushings and fitting the brackets from underneath. If the wheels and the front air dam are off, then the inner liner can be flexed to provide some wiggle room for access to the bolt holes. Nice work. g.

 

Allow me to revive and old post. I was looking for one of these described plastic or nylon insulators that go in the bushing. Mine is also a 97 and the left side had this while my right side was total in pieces and was missing. I am assuming they put them in for fit and to allow movement to not be rubber to metal. I know some other cars had this type of thing as I have seen it before. Anyone every find an over the counter replacement.

 

Tex, I just filled the groove with rubber safe grease and called it good.

 

The aftermarket makes polyurethane (hard), delron (medium) and rubber (soft/stock). I prefer stock replacement rubber. Be certain you don't order XKR bushings b/c I'm pretty certain the bar diameter is larger... or at least different. Here's a pair from Parts Geek...
1997-2006 Jaguar XK8 Sway Bar Bushing - Suspension - APA/URO Parts, Front 97-06 XK8 Sway Bar Bushing - 639-01164219 - PartsGeek

 

Hi Gordo,
Rubber bushings everyone has and not a problem. I was wondering about the little white plastic or nylon sleeve found inside mine on one side. The typical leak at the quick connect for PS on the right side had caused mine to be in pieces when I bought it. I am guessing they are supposed to be on both sides. Curious if anyone ever found a source for these original sleeves.

Thanks Ungn,
I may do just as you suggest, if I can't find something that I feel like is a good replacement.

 

Oh... yes now I know what you mean. I found one side had the plastic sleeve and the other did not. When I replaced the old bushings, I skipped the sleeves. None of my other cars has this piece, and this was the first time I've encountered one on any sway bar fitting. My guess is it was designed to capture and hold some of the lubricant used between the rubber and metal surfaces. Or it could be a place holder to keep the parts in proper position during assembly. Either way I didn't see the need for it and its been three or four years since replacement without incident., e.g,, squeaks, or noises.

I suppose if you really wanted to be a purist, you could take some thin wall pvc pipe, drill holes around the circumference and slice it off at a width to fit the rubber's groove.

 

Hi!

Sorry to reply on old thread - but so is this car - also from 1997. I changed bushes 2013 and as far as I remember there was at least pieces of white rings left in them.

I installed polyurethane bushes 2013 and now after some 20kKM they are gone bad.

Bush bends under bracket without "daRing" inside bush And it is not pressured correctly between bar and bracket.

JEPC (Jaguar Electric Parts Catalog) nor JTIS doesn't show any info about daRing

I have a connection to local Jaguar local technical specialist and I'll send a question about issue. He has been working at Jag reseller/service when these cars were new. I'll let you know the answer.

Meanwhile - has anybody found any source to purchase daRings anywhere (I'd need many of them)?

BR, t