Hi Guys,

I'm on a mission to replace all the suspension rubber that I can. Given my budget it will be an extended process but I picked up front and rear suspension links at a pretty good price from PartsGeek.

This job looks so simple, just an unbolt/bolt type job, that I'm reluctant to ask this question, but that's rarely the case with these cars. So:

I have a 1998 XK8 Conv. Would you please tell me if there are any special instructions or heads ups to replace these links?

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll be sure to post the ride differences after this is done as an FYI for all.

Thanks,

John

 

While you are there, might as well replace the anti-sway bar bushings. Cheap, too, and easy to replace. Just a thought.

 

do steering racks have bushings that could go bad and allow it to THUMP around? I have all new shocks/springs/upper and lower mounts/upper control arm bushings and I still have thumping over bumps. I have been told buy two diff shops my tie rods, ball joints are fine. None of these shopes have went out of their way to tell me of any other loose parts.

 

I had some clunking around at low speed, and merging from a driveway to the street at an angle. I replaced the anti-sway bar bushings and the clunking is gone. Dirt cheap bushings, and easy job, too.

 

Brgjag, Unlikely I know, but I do know from experience that if one forgets to tighten the upper bolt on the front shocks to torque, it will let you know on bumps with clunks.

 

Hell after having them installed and being off center my shop says that is ok, they will be that way. I have NEVER seen a car with those center shock bolts not being centered.

 

You mean the SWAY BAR up front. Yea I prob need to do those bushings.

 

If the shocks are off center it affects the camber. That is not acceptable.

 

That is what I told my shop, one that has been around for many many years that works on some really old and rare **** along with newer stuff (European cars). He flat out told me that sometimes are just end up that way, off center. My cars camber is still out a hair too and he said that is how some sports cars are. I even suggested he put in I think it is called eccentric bolt kit to fix my camber issue, the tops of the tires are STILL in a tiny bit.
Sounds like I need to take it back to them. How do I tell them to get the shock bolted in CENTER and stay there? Someone posted it here in a thread which I can't find.

 

Short of the front end having been wrecked and got **** messed up (not happened) is there anything else that could have the un centered top shock bolts being that way? they were that way right after the repairs to the stuff I had replaced.

 

The upper shock mounts are secured with rivets, and the only way I can see them as being off center is if the mounts themselves were assembled incorrectly.

Did the shop rebuild the mounts or were they purchased assembled?

 

I don't understand how the upper Shock Mount Alignment would affect the Camber. This is NOT a Macpherson Strut Suspension.

 

A few pics to aid with how the top mounts are assembled, it is tricky to get it exactly centred. I also don't see how it will affect camber.






I needed the G clamps to get it compressed to the point where I could pop rivet it back together.





Sealed up.

 

Sorry guys, was not thinking clearly. But is it important to have the shock centered?