Need to replace the front shock mounts for sure. But I might as well replace the whole shock assembly while I'm there.
I would rather buy an coil over assembly but there doesn't appear to be any available except for used. (They look to be in good shape from the pics on Ebay)
My thought is if I buy a used set all I'll still have to replace the shock mounts which means I'll have to take the springs off which is the part that looks like I want to avoid.

So is my apprehension about putting the assembly together valid? While a car novis I am fairly mechanical. And I have friends who are mechanics.
Any other thoughts or suggestions are appreciated
Just incase it doesn't show up on my signature its a 2001 XK8 Convertible with 122,000 miles.

 

I replaced my shocks and upper mounts last year, but I had my local indi assemble after I pulled them as I did not want to fool around with those springs. I had about 160K at the time, bought shocks and upper mounts, greatly improved ride, while doing this I noticed upper and lower ball joints worn and replaced them also a little later. I saw some of those used sets on EBay but opted for new, didn't want someone else's problems.
Jeremy

 

Yeah I was going to replace the upper and lower ball joints while there. Did I see you need a ball joint puller to do this?
The spring compressors don't look too hard to use, but everything is harder than it looks.
Speaking of that would it be out of the realm of possibility to re use the springs?


Side note had a lower ball joint snap on me one time while driving....no fun......coming home from my bachelor party.....did not wait for the cops to show up. Drove it in to a parking lot and got a ride....

 

Yeah I was going to replace the upper and lower ball joints while there. Did I see you need a ball joint puller to do this?
The spring compressors don't look too hard to use, but everything is harder than it looks.
Speaking of that would it be out of the realm of possibility to re use the springs?


Side note had a lower ball joint snap on me one time while driving....no fun......coming home from my bachelor party.....did not wait for the cops to show up. Drove it in to a parking lot and got a ride....

 

Don't buy used shocks. It's not that difficult to remove the springs, this is a well documented procedure on the forum. While you are at it replace the upper Swing arm bushings as you have to remove it anyway. Also at 122K miles I'd go for the full Monty and replace everything, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar bushings while its apart. Wouldn't hurt to replace the lower swing arm bushing also.

The lower ball joint and lower swing arm bushings are the hardest part to replace, that's why Jaguar and most searches only list complete assemblies for sale however it can be done and the seperate parts are available.

I did my 03, first time I had done any suppension work, and had no real issues other than the lower ball joints and bushings. Ended up taking the lower assemblies and new parts to a machine shop for disassembly and reassembly.

All in it cost me around 1K for a complete new front suppension however about 25% of that was postage for parts as I live in Hawaii.

 

The Shock replacement can be done with hand tools and a $40 Harbor Freight Spring compressor (or borrow one from EVERY chain part store for free). Shocks are about $120/ea shipped including new bump stops and boots. New Welsh upper shock mounts are about $150/pr off E-bay and are a MUST when replacing shocks.

Ball joints are a whole different deal. You have to take the wishbone arms out and and use a 20 ton press. The BJ's will most likely laugh at at a "C Clamp" style ball joint tool unless you cut/drill the old ball joint to pieces.

The Jag balljoints are pressed into Forged metal, not stamped sheet metal and they don't like to move.

I had never owned a Jag and never worked on one before, but managed to rebuild the entire front suspension, including Wheel bearings, by buying the tools to do it (like a 20 ton HF press and ABS nut Socket), but even after buying the tools, I probably saved $1000 doing it myself.

 

Check out PB brakes and coil-overs the make a coil-over that's adjustable spring highth and adjustable damping on the shocks cost is around 1050.00 for all 4 which is less than replacing everything with stock

 

Mscott, I suggest you borrow 2 sets of spring compressors. Made life much easier for me. Strongly suggest you line up a 10 gallon air compressor for the job. I rented a smaller one once - it ran out of air forcing me to wait for recharge during the job.

John

 

You can buy a ball joint separating tool at harbor freight for under 60.00 bucks dont use a pickle fork its a lot of work and you can damage something. The ball joint separating tool slides in and you crank down the bolt which separates the joint , while doing this you must also tap on the joint with a hammer to help break it free. here is a link on ebay




https://www.ebay.com/itm/6PC-Arm-Tie....c100005.m1851

 

Badcat has some good points, but I want to share my experience. I had a stubborn ball joint, upper front. The tool he recommends is wonderful when it works. I broke mine trying to release this joint, no joy. I interviewed several local trustworthy mechanics who are advocates of the pickle fork. I borrowed a good (better than Autozone lends) pickle fork, made short work of it.

So a couple of points: all pickle forks are not created equal; if the crank tool doesn't work, I suggest you get hold of a pickle fork. FWIW, I posted a photo of the two pickle forks after my "adventure". Big difference between the two.

good luck,

john

 

I had some time, here's the post in case you are interested. Glad I posted it because it reminded me: the slope of the tangs was the big difference between an effective pickle fork and the autozone rental.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...edback-188929/

John

 

I bought one and it worked like a charm to get my upper ball joint apart...