After a long time planning, I've finally completely replaced the front suspension on my 1998 XK8 w/ 140,000 +miles. It was well past time as my tires were rubbing on the fender wells when I went over a bump or bottomed out at a bridge. Picture before rebuild

I began by watching Ebay for a while for used wishbones and complete control arm assemblies. I purchased these for a total of $277 delivered.
I took these to a local machine shop in N. Atlanta that does work for a highly reputable Jag repair shop. They pressed out the old Bushes and Ball joints, and installed the new ones supplied by me for $180.00. I had purchased the Lemfoerder upper and lower ball joints and Eurospare Bushings from Parts Geek for $372 delivered. Notice the CA & BB markings in the control arms. I also marked the corresponding bushes, as they were installed incorrectly on the ones from Ebay and I wanted to be sure this did not happen to mine. I had also purchased Mevotech Supreme sway links with poly bushes from Carid for installation later.

I purchsed new Lesjofors Coils from Geek as well for $255. (this may have been a mistake, read to end) Shocks, Bellows and Bump stops from Carid for $243, & Spring packer & pans from SNG Barrett for $31, and Shock mounts from Welsh for $155. Thats complete shock assemblies for $685.

I then had a local custom race car builder friend of mine perform the install of all these parts, including the spring compression onto plates. He charged me $650 and it took him a day +.

After completed, the ride is tight and responsive, a huge improvement. NOt bottoming out at all! The install has gone about as I had expected. I am all in at $2265, which I am very happy with as it could have easily been over $5000 had I not done my homework and some legwork
But there is one hickup. Before the rebuild, the front end was sitting at about 14.25". Spec is 15.75", so it was 1.5" low. After rebuild, it is sitting at 17", or 1.25" too high. I have read that it may take some time to settle in the coils, but after driving 300 miles, there is no change. No, we did not torque lower control arms until after tires sitting on ground. I am monitoring this to determine how or if additional actions are required. Don't think drive is compromised, but NOT happy with the look.
Also, you will note in photos, the sway link required slight modification. The attachment to the control arm required longer bolts and large flat washers, but otherwise was an exact fitment. I will also monitor this as well.
I had planned to buy additional ball joints and bushes and have them pressed in and sell on Ebay, but I may keep as spares. This would get me back about $300 and put the total rebuild under $2000. That would be amazing in my opinion!
I hope this is helpful to others that may be considering this repair.

 

Great write up and pictures!

What is the ride height on the rear? It should be at 15.75 as well. If it is low, it will raise the front.

 

Thanks Mike. The rear is low about 1/4".

 

wooooooooooow way to go very impressive!

 

I replaced my coils, shocks, bushings, etc. Just like you. My final ride height is also 17" . Its been a few months now and it has not dropped at all. I contacted the sales V.P. for Lesjofors and he confirmed I had the correct coils, he even contacted their lead engineer in Sweden, who contaced someone at Jaguar. They all confirmed correct springs were installed, also the new shocks are correct, Bilstein #24067263. I'm baffled, I have double checked the install and everything is correct. I just remeasured the ride height and it is still 17" front and 16" rear.

 

I think it looks great, and had you not known about the original numbers, it probably would not bother you. Good job on the DIY!

 

That both dr. Fixit and letmyhairfly experiencied the same abnormal increase in ride height after installing the same Lesjofors springs points fairly strongly to those springs being the prime suspect, despite what their sales VP says.

My concern with too high a ride height would be that, just like too low a ride height introduces excess negative camber, there may be too much positive camber, which from a handling perspective could be worse.


My front ride height is now also at 14". I have ordered springs from SNG Barrett (and Welsh poly mounts) and when they are installed I will report how it works out.


Andy

 

I used aftermarket coils on mine originally and the front sagged almost as much as before after about 2 weeks. Pulled them off and installed OEM. Ride height is perfect well over one year past.

 

Where did the aftermarket springs that were too limp come from and how were they branded?

 

They were Suplex brand bought from SNG Barrett. Barrett had issues with several XK8/R owners complaining and no longer carry that brand.

 

I have now put about 1500 miles on the car since installation and front end has settled in at 17" exactly. 1.25" high
When coils arrived I compared the number on the box to the order number and they were correct.
I emailed lesjofors and did not receive any reply. The handling is so much improved over the previous when mearured at 14.25", it is hard to determine if the 1.25" higher ride is noticeable.
At this point, I have resigned myself to leave it be, as the time, money and effort to remove, replace and re-install would be a huge PIA! Do not get me wrong, I am not happy, but I am not running it on a track or anything, so it is just really a matter of not being what it should be and what I paid for more than anything else. It is tolerable, is what I am saying for my "Fun" weekend, sunny day car.

Lastly, for anyone considering a front end suspension rebuild, probably stay away from Lesjofors Coils. I did measure my new Blistein shocks against the old ones and the coil stop location is exactly the same. So that eliminates the possibility that the shock is the cuplrit.

 

Maybe this will help. i performed the front end rebuild like you did only I used OEM springs. the car seemed a little high but the technician and i both liked it. turns out that the Welsh mounts come with two spacers and one one is supposed to be used. he installed both. since the car is sitting great and aligned perfectly, we decided to leave it. this gives me some nice extra clearance and some extra life on the springs if they ever begin to soften.

 

your rear ride height is supposed to be 15.94 inches full fuel tank and 16.37 inches with only 21 quarts of fuel.

 

i am at 16 1/4 front and back 1/3 tank of fuel after about one year and about 5 k of miles.

 

2003 XK8 76,000 miles
Kept in garage.
Original problem play in arm.
Mechanic in Northern Virginia said he couldn't replace bushing on front upper control arm because of rust preventing sliding bushing.

Recommends replacing both arms and coating the joint with grease.
Is there a better way to prevent the play and rust?
Can some kinds of grease deteriorate rubber?

 

If you mean rust like this then its nothing to worry about.





XK8_FrontSuspension_HowTo.pdf

Have your guy read the above attached instructions. It covers the rust issue.

 

Hi, I know it has been four years since you replace the suspension system. Q: how's the ride today and how many miles does your Jag currently has? Also, why did you replace the wishbones, how did you know they needed replacement. I have 2005 XK8 w/78K miles. My ride is a bid hard. Did notice the front shock mount pretty dry. Struts no sign of leaks. Thank you for your detailed info.