Re 2003 XK8

Looking thru a receipt for an alignment on an XK8 potential purchase. It said rear camber could not be set due to special shims required. Read the XK8 Bible sticky but no reference to this issue.

Could someone elaborate what these shims are? Are these special shims that must be Jaguar dealer sourced? Cost?

 

shims can be purchased through the forum sponsors - SNG Barratts or jagbits - there are about 5 different sizes and are about $55 each. If the rear was lowered a 7 or 7.5mm shim would be needed to correct Here are a couple threads discussing the shims

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...er-shims-6005/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-69356/page2/

 

so with a stock ( std Springs and shocks) XK8 probably best to take it to a British car specialist that stocks these shims in case they are needed. Are these shims tapered to change the camber?

if not tapered why not add washers to the flanged area to change the camber. 3.5 mm Shims are about 1/8” thick

randy

 

If you have a pick-n-pull junkyard nearby with XJ8's in it, these are a good source for shims, for a couple bucks. Its just takes laying on your back for 15 minutes and removing 8 nuts (4/side)

The shims are flat ground and go between the 1/2 shaft and 3rd member, lengthening the shaft and straightening the rear tire.

 

you cannot add washers due to the halfshaft seating surface. Read the threads I've included and it explains. The standard shim (I believe) is 4mm but you can replace with a shim up to 7.5mm. here is the SNG Barratts link

https://www.sngbarratt.com/us/#!/Eng...AFT%20ASSEMBLY

 

Or look at your upper coil spring isolaters that when they collapse they drop ride height and increase negative camber in the rear. Also unless camber is close to or over -2.degrees. Otherwise it is a waste of time and money.