I just got my strut assemblies back from my mech. I got new upper mount assys, shocks, shock bumpers, lower spring spacers, and control arm bushings. As advised on the forum, the replacement mount assy mounting bolts were painted. I cleaned the paint off and started to install one. The one bolt was a little tighter and then broke off! I removed strut and saw the bolt was actually tilted in the plate. I read that its easier to get the whole mount assy because they're hard to get apart to replace donuts. I found that they're not held together. I will use the new donuts and reuse the old plates. Back to the shop. I"m going to send the plates back to parts geek( from eurospares) The old donuts were splitting but not too bad, but the shock bushings were really bad. I hope once everythings back together that the bottoming and sqeaking will be gone. I did not expect crappy parts from a supplier. 98 triple black convertible. 53000 miles.

 

The studs are, pretty sure, press-fitted into the plate. And, it isn't paint on them, it is powder coating - much tougher than paint. I managed to break one after using a wire brush to clean the threads. Remainder were cleaned using a tap & die. Far better fit and much less resistance when threading the nut on.

 

Rumm5 and Jim, I had the same problem and used the old stud and had to tack weld it to keep it from spinning. Jim is right, all should run a die onto each stud shaft. I'm sure rumm5 is like myself, NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!!!


Wayne

 

i rebuilt mine with a kit from motorcars unlimited. comes with all bushings and new mounting bolts. have to drill out rivets holding the plates together then when reassembling you compress the plates with the new mounting bolts and nuts provided then use a pop rivet gun to keep it all together.

 

Wolfpck1, was that the kit that had the hard rubber? I have done a couple with stock mounts and was wondering if the rubber ones made for to firm a ride. It looked easy enough to install.
What is your opinion on the ride, much difference???
NCSU???
Wayne

 

Jim, how about a link? I could not find motorcars unlimited.

 

Never mind, I think you mean the urethane bushing kit from Motorcar Ltd., right?

 

hi wayne aka cj
yes the bushings feel much harder than the originals tho there wasnt much left of the originals left to compare lolol. the car doesnt ride any different that i can tell. maybe a little flatter in cornering but believe thats more the new shocks. now have a slight rattle but believe thats from the upper control bushings being removed and now its a sloppy fit due to wear so thats next. also motorcars unlimited has a kit for convertering from the premium suspension to standard shocks. shocks springs and bushings all assembled maybe you could call them and work a deal for just the front shocks assembled. would save alot of work. i didnt know they had it till i had already bought all of my stuff for mine. cant hurt to call and ask. and no its a old aol name from many years ago (aol ver 1.5) that ive just stayed with over the years. maybe when i get mine back together (redying the interior and top and came down with carpel tunnel in the middle of it ) we meet somewhere in the middle for a meal and chat or myabe try to get a breakfast or lunch meeting together for jaguars from both areas and show off our ladies. jim aka wolfpck1

 

Sounds good to me and thanks for the info as mine will need all this in the future. On the ones I have done, it was the lower shock bushing that was really the source of the slop, not the that upper didn't need replacing. I talked to Energy Suspensions for a poly , but they had nothing that was close on the lower. Yes, I know they are available but in some cases, more than the shock replacement. A place in England has the for $40 after shipping, but not sure of the quality, look good.
Sorry, got to rambling, take care.


Wayne

 

not sure but believe this is the part # W0133-1828560 but for the work needed to press out the bushing and replace it, the whole shock isnt that much more seeing as the shocks are probably the originals.