Now the X100 drives smoothly and the ABS lights have stopped throwing a code. Ian is driving as he should have from the beginning. This "Topaz" 2000 XK8 Coupe' is quite the "touring car".

I DO LOVE IT SO!

 

12 hours? Did they roast a pig after removing each nut?

 

They tried removing MY nuts and I nearly killed them during the attempt! :P

But seriously, they had never worked on an XK8's suspension before attempting this, and there was a 'learning curve" involved.

 

It took some time for my garage to replace my shocks and springs mostly because some of the bolts and pins where too tight and they didn't want to cut anything or break anything. I understand that, there where also some parts that needed replacing because they had rusted away so they where waiting for parts from Jaguar. I would rather a garage take their time and do it right then do it quickly and **** it up costing more in the end.

 

Sure, but the front shocks and springs are held in place by 3 nuts on the top and 1 bolt and nut on the bottom. It requires removal of the wheel-well liner, and disconnecting of the anti-roll bar: one nut or one bolt and nut. That's about 15 minutes per side for any mechanic at most. If they were removing the upper control arm, which is the official method but not necessary, it does take a lot longer if the fulcrum bolt is corroded. At the rear, the shock and spring are held in place by 3 nuts at the top and one bolt and nut on the bottom. You have unbolt (3 bolts) the A plate that is beneath the differential and then bend it down with a large crowbar or some other such thing. The shock and spring will just fall out afterwards. Motorcarman can explain this better as he came up with this method. The official method would involve removing the entire rear-suspension, differential carrier assembly, and half-shafts all in one piece.