Rear suspension query

[mat_stoke]

I have a 1993 facelift 4.0 (AJ6) XJS coupe and, having had the front suspension rebuild with OEM sport-pack parts a few years (but only about 1000 miles) ago, I think it is time to start considering the same treatment for the rear suspension. As things stand, I can source original sport-pack rear dampers (CCC7466 I believe?) but the springs (JLM11311 I believe?) are out of production – the general consensus seeming to be to use Aston Martin DB7 rear springs. There seem to be polar views on this with, from what I can see, many people saying that the Aston springs are of inferior quality to the Jaguar originals and tend to sag quickly. With that in mind:

• Am I best to just leave well alone?
• Would it be beneficial to replace the dampers and any bushes?
• It is likely that the Aston springs would still be an improvement on 25 year old originals (that have 54k miles under them) so I should just go ahead and do the work?

Thanks in advance

[steve_m]

I think that new dumper truck springs would be an improvement on aged XJS springs.
If I had the option I would throw the money at it and replace all the bushes whilst you are doing the job; at least then you would know that there was one less thing to fret about.
I have never heard anybody say that Aston stuff is worse than Jag stuff; how do they qualify that?
I have Aston springs, dampers, radius arm bushes and cage mounts on mine; not through any particular desire to have them but they were available at a good price at the time that I was having the work done.
Are they any better than the Jag ones?
No idea; it's my 5th XJS and the first one that I have put new suspension components in.
It goes round corners quite nicely, thank you very much.
You could talk to KWE as they are quite amenable but be prepared to bring the dumper truck full of folding stuff.

[davidr]

My advice would be to be careful. The quality of replacement springs can leave much to be desired.
The DB7 springs aren't usually actually Aston Martin parts but ones supposedly made to that spec (ie spring rate).
I would advise you to try to keep your original springs if you can. So long as they still maintain the proper ride height then they should be OK. You may want to have them blasted and coated but so long as they have not sagged, aren't broken or too corroded then they will be fine.
I bought some DB7 spec springs from KWE a while ago for my V12 but found them a bit harsh. Steve had them from me and thought they sharpened his car up well. All a matter of personal choice!
Dampers are one area that does benefit from upgrades. A good set of adjustable ones allows you to get the right feel for you.