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Choir,
I did the same thing and dropped all my caster shims when I replaced my top bushings, and not knowing any better divided up the shims equally and reinstalled them with the new bushings.
When test driving after completing the re bushing of the front suspension the car tracked poorly, was not stable on the straight ahead, would follow any deviation in the road and in short felt very unstable. I realized the caster angle was the problem and a little research uncovered the diagram shown above by GGG.
To all intents and purposes there is no real down side to a high caster angle in vehicle with power steering, all it will do make it more stable in the straight ahead position. I decided to maximize the caster angle, I disassembled the top arm, and rearranged the shims placing them so I had the maximum caster angle. Now when I test drove it the car was very stable, tracked straight ahead, and did not follow any deviations in the road, and as time went on I found it was more relaxing to drive over long distances because it was so stable.
Never the less I had the whole front end realigned because of all the work I'd done in that area. When I reviewed the results I was surprised to find the caster angle was still not at the maximum allowable.
All the above is by way of an explanation because I don't think using the shims alone, you can exceed the allowable caster angle.
Regards,
White Bear.
Not to revive an old post but.. do you remember the way you placed your shims? I’d like to maximize my camber adjustment as much as possible (with just using the shims).
See White Bears post #10. Includes shim placement from factory. As well as shim sizes (allows you to use other washers in a jam)
John
i think ill try it his way. I just want a smooth ride. I didnt think that the placement of each washer was so important. But if you can notice a pretty big change, its worth a try.
Hello.
I have a 2004 xk8 bought used
. I have disassembled the front suspension to change the supports of the springs (rubber in poor condition). On my xk8, there are two thick and two thin washers on the fulcrum of the upper wishbone.
The distribution that came was symmetrical (thin and thick front and back on both sides).
But looking at the manual (R.O.W.) of 2011, in the left front part it puts two thick washers and in the rear part one thick and one thin.
Can someone tell me if it is an error in the manual and on the front left it should say thick and thin. Or in my xk8 they have come "customized".
I have also thought of placing them as in the U.K, but changing the right side for the left.
Consulted the alignment service, they have told me that the machine asks them to enter if the car has specifications of N. America, U.K. or Rest of the World. I mention it, because there must be some difference. In addition, the technician was very surprised that the washers were not symmetrical.
I have a 2004 xk8 bought second hand. I have disassembled the front suspension to change the supports of the springs (rubber in poor condition). On my xk8, there are two thick and two thin washers on the fulcrum of the upper wishbone
The distribution that came was symmetrical (thin and thick front and back on both sides).
But looking at the manual (R.O.W.) of 2011, in the left front part it puts two thick washers and in the rear part one thick and one thin.
Can someone tell me if it is an error in the manual and on the front left it should say thick and thin. Or in my xk8 they have come "customized".
I have also thought of placing them as in the U.K, but changing the right side for the left.
Consulted the alignment service, they have told me that the machine asks them to enter if the car has specifications of N. America, U.K. or Rest of the World. I mention it, because there must be some difference. In addition, the technician was very surprised that the washers were not symmetrical.
I have a 2004 xk8 bought second hand. I have disassembled the front suspension to change the supports of the springs (rubber in poor condition). On my xk8, there are two thick and two thin washers on the fulcrum of the upper wishbone
The distribution that came was symmetrical (thin and thick front and back on both sides).
But looking at the manual (R.O.W.) of 2011, in the left front part it puts two thick washers and in the rear part one thick and one thin.
Can someone tell me if it is an error in the manual and on the front left it should say thick and thin. Or in my xk8 they have come "customized".
I have also thought of placing them as in the U.K, but changing the right side for the left.
Consulted the alignment service, they have told me that the machine asks them to enter if the car has specifications of N. America, U.K. or Rest of the World. I mention it, because there must be some difference. In addition, the technician was very surprised that the washers were not symmetrical.
I’d just do it the way you found it. If it road fine then it’s fine. I don’t understand why they have differences based on where you live unless they changed the angles of the suspension based on what part of the world you bought the jag. Best thing is go off the manual and go get it aligned. They can tell you pretty quick if it’s in line or outta wack
I’d just do it the way you found it. If it road fine then it’s fine. I don’t understand why they have differences based on where you live unless they changed the angles of the suspension based on what part of the world you bought the jag. Best thing is go off the manual and go get it aligned. They can tell you pretty quick if it’s in line or outta wack
Thank you.
That's what I thought. Since I think this is an error in the manual (it seems logical that all vehicles come with four washers on each side, two thick and two thin), I'm going to mount them as I found them (which would match the manual if there was a typo in R.O.W.)
Thank you.
That's what I thought. Since I think this is an error in the manual (it seems logical that all vehicles come with four washers on each side, two thick and two thin), I'm going to mount them as I found them (which would match the manual if there was a typo in R.O.W.)
Can someone help me out. I have a LHD XK8 from the US.
What is the perfect setting for those shims and why do they assume a different setting for the shims from left to right side of the car?
I saw the pictures above, but not of they are for RHD or LHD?
I see that it is important not to put less shims in as before because it would bent the wishbone, right?
The attachment on GGG's post (I linked on the other thread) is for the US cars. The one above also has yet another error (highlighted) for R.O.W) - too many 'thick' shims.
AFAIK, the L to R difference is to accommodate the road 'crown'. The range of adjustment is very small in any case.
I found one was missing on one side when I changed the upper bushings. I've owned the car for most of its life, so either it was missed on build, or 'someone' had lost it on a previous change out, which I doubt given the then very low mileage.
I added the missing one for the reason you stated.
Last edited by michaelh; Jan 28, 2025 at 05:30 PM.
AFAIK, the L to R difference is to accommodate the road 'crown'. The range of adjustment is very small in any case.
I found one was missing on one side when I changed the upper bushings. I've owned the car for most of its life, so either it was missed on build, or 'someone' had lost it on a previous change out, which I doubt given the then very low mileage.
I added the missing one for the reason you stated in the other thread.
oh okay.
as i rebuilt the car i put them back in symmetrical and „how i thought“ it would fit, as they fell out from pulling the bolt.
only to be sure??
left side front: 2x thick and 1x thin
right side front: 1x thin
left side back: 1x thin
right side back: 2x thick and 1x thin
”…… Not too many people in the US are driving their X100's on crowned country 2 lanes.
I drive mainly on 2 lane roads . The interstates are just too scary. I’d rather my cross country trips take a couple of hours longer rather than endure the interstate stress
michaelh: okay thats good to know
I´m only wondering why the car is so nervous in the front end (steering). I´ve got new shocks in and all bushings are new. at a speed of about 200km/h (124mph) the steering is very soft and its not so easy to hold it straight like a arrow.
By reaching 250km/h (155 mp/h) i sweat blood and tears. I took it to a garage to adjust the alignment because i thought the front end wheels arent close enough at the front tip (not sure how to explain that on english)
I asume my car needs more a setting like the left in the picture to be better on the straights.
btw: i know our xk8 aint a race car and i dont drive those speeds so often but i´m wondering how to solve the problem.
