XK8 Front Suspension Bilstein Spring Cup Mystery
 

Hey Guys,

Once again I have to turn to the forum for your wisdom as I am stumped and seemingly very unlucky with this project!

I am in the process of replacing my front lower wishbones and shocks and have hit a snag with the damper and spring seat not fitting. For reference I have ordered Bilstein 24-067263 and the spring seat Jaguar MJA2166BC. I was informed by the supplier British Parts that these parts are sold regularly together and there are no alternatives for my model. 1999 XK8 Convertible.

When trying to slip the cup over the damper it is simply too tight and won't slide down. A local technician a the garage said he could try and the first inch of movement started stripping paint so we halted.

I am hoping someone on here can share to wisdom as to where I am going wrong or what I need to do to get this resolved? The parts seem to line up and the attached photo shows the orientation and the damage caused so far.

BP have said they will take the whole order back but that leaves me at square one.

Any help or guidance appreciated.

Best,

Scott
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c81a78ab72.jpg

stick it in the oven, heat it up/expand it, slip it on, then it will contract tight on there?

Thanks, will give it a go - Do you think the damage done so far will impact the performance/ life of the damper or is it just superficial?

If you're worried, just spray some paint on it when you've located the seat.

I have CATS on mine so there may be some differences, but even so I'm pretty sure the cup is oriented upside down in that photo? Won't solve your interference problem though...

The spring seat is inverted, or did the tech just park it?

Thanks both - yes it had been removed and I was just resting it there for the photo. Should have oriented it the right way. Sadly it doesn't slide on either way.

I reckon it would go all the way with force, it will just take all the paint with it. Have tried heating a little but no improvement, will try hotter but don't want to damage the damper with excessive heat.

Try putting the damper in the freezer, cup in the oven.

Take a pipe with ID that will set on the shelf and a little slick stuff and drive it down to the shelf.
Wipe it down with some carb cleaner and wait a few minutes and paint it with a shiny paint, flat or simi are porous and will hold moisture.
Painful but will get you out of trouble for someone else's mistake.
Or just take some Emory paper and sand it with a round object inside, won't take a few minutes to open it up.

How about a flapper wheel?? If that's foreign to you (joke intended) it's drill attachment made of sand paper pieces making a wheel. You're not going to need much to get that to fit.
TM

You won't damage the damper by heating the seat. Stick it in a 200 Degree oven to heat up properly. Or just file the hole a bit bigger.

Just to wrap this one up I bought a small metal grinder bit for my Dremel and took a 1/2mm off the inside ring - fits perfectly now. New dampers are in and so far so good.

Bit I ordered -