I ordered the upper shock mount through Welsh for $145 ea. They do have a kit for $115 as well. Partsgeek is showing 2 in stock for $105 (they had been out of stock for about 2 months when I finally bit the bullet and ordered through Welsh). No I did not order shocks so wont replace those.

the upper wishbone bushings I ordered through XK's unlimited for $49ea and the upper ball joints for around $30

 

A full season will keep the prices higher. Isn't that wonderful? lol

 

We checked my upper ball joints and bushings and they seem fine. With the fenders off being bare metal sanded, you can really see what's going on! The shock mounts are probably 3/8" thick and hard as rocks and can be picked apart with a screw driver. I wonder how many XK8's are out there with shot mounts! Now if my new springs would get here he could get these done.

 

time to get started

 

well project has started but didn't get as far as I wanted today. Oh well - driver side upper wishbone is off and shock/spring removed. Here are pics of the old and new shock mounts along with a pic of the upper ball joint which is being replaced. I guess I should have just bit the bullet and picked up new shocks and a few other items - shocks are ok but lower shock bushing is in bad shape, lower ball joint boot is cracked - looks like it will be a little bit at a time. Will take a few more pics tomorrow and hope to have at least this all done so I can drive it Monday.

 

The metal on the older shock mounts looks pretty much intact. Could steve or any of the other guys here fab and sell a kit made out of something which will last longer? I mean, I'd be happy if I could buy the bushings alone and fit them in. It looks like I'll be fabricating them myself, but I don't know what the most durable and cost effective material would be for this application.

Any ideas guys? Are we all just going to keep allowing this highway robbery? Do we really want to keep buying the mounts when they're intact and the only borked part is the bushing?

 

There is an older thread on this very subject of making your own bushing. I think they used neoprene. The mount is also available as a kit for less, but you pay for the difference in increased labor/time.

 

Gian - Welsh does sell a kit for $115, and the mounts I bought (also from Welsh) were $145. I have seen the price for the mounts range from $105 - partsgeek to $245ea through dealers. Partsgeek had been out of stock for about 2 months when I bought mine from Welsh.

As Mike mentions, there is another post on making your own bushing and forum member Plums even posted a link on using hockey pucks for bushings - just a matter of how creative and how much time one has to make the repairs. I opted for the quick replacement but will retain the old mount for rebuild.

 

Yeah, I saw that thread, but I didn't see a conclusive answer. Is the neoprene better than the stock material Jag used? Is the Welsh kit good? I had read somewhere that the kits may actually be worse.

 

One member tried the kit, might have been Gus or Rev. Sam, and said assembly was difficult, better stick to the mounted bushing. The person making his own reported still good after three years.
My take is that the original lasted many years/miles, why mess with alternatives, just buy replacement mount.

 

in Rev Sam's video, he states he used the kit and recommended against them - just a pain to rebuild. If you can get the mounts through partsgeek - by far the best price for the whole assembly with Welsh coming in second

 

Huh, it's really that hard? Even Rev Sam recommended agains it. Wow.

I guess I'll wait until partsgeek restocks them.

 

I've been waiting too. Better be the patient type, they have been out for several months now. The only folks who seem to have them are those with prices above $160. Guess why.

 

what fools yall most is the flat face on each side of the bushing, ignore that, they can be replaced with washers. Remove the bushings, measure them, and go to energy suspensions web site to find comparable sizes.

Freeze them in the freezer and oil up where they go.Dont be afraid the massage them somewhat to make them go in snug but easy on you.

They will go right in!

For the ball joint-heat the knuckle it goes in while arm is still on car, smack the arm down with a big hammer, it will release the ball joint enough to apply penetrating oil on top and it soak between the two surfaces, this will also make your life easier when removing, forget the big bang theory lol, even though I like that show

This is same setup as Mercedes I have done, seeing the whole arms cost $500-600 bucks! what a ripoff!

I understand there aren't many mechanics on this forum, but the part cost for these cars are just the assumption you are a millionaire or well off that likes to spend, and I don't even want to start cursing, because this is about the most foul stuff I have run into.There is no special engineering here, just applied measurements.

 

ive used both and wont use the kits anymore. Yes alot more time to do and keep them centered as youre tightening. But worst of all they came apart faster than the originals. Why i said in my post earlier i wont use them anymore

 

aode06: The bushings we are discussing are the shock mount bushings located above the springs, with three studs to secure them inside the engine compartment. If you read the posts and look at the pictures at the beginning of the thread you will see that there is nothing to put in the freezer.

 

finally done with this project - new upper ball joints and upper wishbone bushings replaced all buttoned up and test drive done - very slight pull to the right but knew an alignment would be necessary.



Ride height looks back to normal but will measure tomorrow during daylight. And best of all no more squeaks.

 

Congratulations. Squeakless at last!