www.jec.org.uk

Still got to sort out that very minor whine that's been suggested as a "Quill Shaft" whatever that might be. It transmits itself to all parts of the car, but can't be heard from outside. And virtually disappears with a window open, or at above about 50mph. Weird. In all my years of driving scrot cars, never had a fault like that before... Will find out more on Monday

Had the Exec (Ludlow) into a transmission specialist in SE London (the Sport's super quiet) who've diagnosed the
carrier bearing. And yes, there's no spares nor is it a change out (unlike BMWs) item

They didn't charge for test driving, checking the wheel bearings on their lift, and doing their diagnosis. So
am recommending <drum roll> Foxberry Garage (inc. Helical Gearboxes) in Brockley SE4 Paul on 0208 691 5953

So the whole shaft (NND5800EC) has to be changed at a cost of £944 new inc VAT from Barratts (one ex-stock)

There's four possibles on eBay at around the £30 to £45 mark but what with £150 install (silencer needs to drop down) it's a gamble whether any one of these s/h supplied would be quieter instead -- what with the Alsatian's pee on them too

Anyway, just wondering if there's any alternative? Seems strange construct to me that this wear item can't be serviced -- but I'm not a mechanic. Any one better in the know please reply

Hi Rich,
Regarding your propshaft problems if you don't have any joy with the place you've found you could try these people.
Major And Aspinall. http://www.majorandaspinall.com/automotive.htm

This is their Center Bearing Catalogue,link below.

http://www.majorandaspinall.com/pdf/cen ... %20cat.pdf

Hope that helps mate,
Take Care,
Andy

Thanks for the reply, Andy -- that firm seems very useful although their .pdf lists X350, not X308
They've probably been asked about XJ8 before so I'll give them a bell on Tuesday

Place I went to says they'd saved a good noiseless prop shaft and that's in the price of £160 notes
Haven't heard anything since I took it in on Tuesday

Went to collect yesterday and boy, what a difference Ludlow's transmission (and the rest of the car) is now sooo quiet Well worth the £160 notes inclusive. (mangy alsation on a rope wasn't there)

There's interesting opinions out there
Got shown the old carrier bearing who's rubber had gone so soft that you could move the two shafts around by as much as 30º up and down. He said you should'nt be able to move it, or hardly at all.

All the bearings and track rod ends had been "nipped" up by previous owner -- needing blow torch / WD40 to loosen to correct the tracking;
Bearings were checked each wheel and "un-nipped" and then tightened to correct torque ("You've definately got a bearing gone, sir!")
And the best was: "It's your tyres, sir! Those Nexans are known for transmitting road noise. We can change them for Cinturato P5 *&*(&*% supercalafragalistic expidalidocious all weather asymetric bla bla".

Thanks again to the boyz in Brockley who correctly diagnosed. And to Kevin for doing the job with a fair price.
I would give them a drum roll too but Kevin's a man of many parts (mostly XKR and XJR) and was renovating a set of Brembo calipers when I went to collect yesterday. I said I'd recommend in forum but he said he doesn't want any more customers coz he can't get on with his own cars. So I'm not

Glad you got it sorted Richard,it's always good to hear there's still some decent people out there.
Must of kept the Alsatian in this time .
Enjoy your Jag's mate.
Take Care.
Andy

Bearing in mind the good service I got from Foxberry on this job went back to them for another job on the Sport
This time was met with ill grace on the 'phone being told that they were only nowadays "interested in the more up to date car given the difficulties they'd had getting parts for your car" and had the 'phone slammed down on me.
So, don't go there There's no excuse for rudeness IMO

Totally agree Richard

Andy