Tools and spare parts

[Tris]

Hi All,

While I'm waiting to get my first XJS (AJ16 Auto Celebration Coupe), I was wondering if there are any particular tools or spare parts that I should keep on hand/in the boot in case of problems?

Thanks.

[davidr]

Hi Tris - looking forward to seeing pics when your new car arrives!
There are a few "get you going again" spares that are worth having in your boot. I'll take as read the obvious things like spare bulbs etc.
A spare fan belt is an obvious one. You can change it at the roadside from above. You need to get the aircon compressor belt off first which is done from underneath so you may have to sacrifice that and cut it off if you're stuck at the side of the road so better have one of those too.
The coolant hose that goes from the block to the pump (under the inlet manifold) is a weak point so it's not unknown for that to give out. Either carry a spare or take the proactive approach and change it anyway or both.
The crank position sensor will also bring you to a standstill but can be changed at the roadside in 10 minutes so may be worth carrying a spare.
I'm sure others will have suggestions too

[Tris]

Thanks David, time to go shopping! I guess SNG Barratt is a good place to start?

In addition to a full service, the car has already had new belts and poly bushes which is a bonus.

I will certainly be posting lots of pics when I have the car, it's still at Alders for the time being. I can't wait to get it!

[davidr]

Where were the polybushes fitted? The only place I'd fit them is the steering rack and the small radius arm bush. The rest I'd leave as original Metalastic to preserve the ride/handling compromise as Jaguar intended.
Yes SNGB will have genuine, OE and pattern options. David Manners Group similar. Jaguar themselves has a useful site www.jaguarclassicparts.com with very useful exploded diagrams and part numbers to help you find what you need and you can buy genuine parts from there.

[Tris]

I've no idea which bushes were changed to poly, I'll have to ask.

I assume that changing ALL the bushes to poly would give a sharper but firmer ride?

[davidr]

Yes. To my mind, the ride of the later cars had already been compromised by Jaguar compared to the "magic carpet" of earlier XJ-S's and I've been looking for ways to soften mine.
Polybushes are less compliant than the rubber originals.
I use them for the steering rack as they sharpen up the steering without losing refinement but used in the suspension they can make the ride quite hard although they will sharpen up handling.
Depends what you want really - I prefer a more cruising approach for comfort more than outright handling as that's what we use our car for but others may prefer a setup more biased towards handling.
Harder bushes will transmit more force into the suspension and body so it makes sense to ensure the structure of the car is sound.

[poprivet]

I was wondering if there are any particular tools or spare parts that I should keep on hand/in the boot in case of problems?

All I carry is an AA membership card and a mobile phone.

Never needed either in the last 20 years of driving the XJ-S mind.

[PaulGover]

When going abroad, I like to take a full set of hoses, as they usually can't be sourced quickly, and generic stuff might not fit. Drive belts are standard stuff from any garage, but it helps to know the sizes in advance! If your car has an immobilizer, a spare set of keys/transmitter, but not in the boot!

[Tris]

Thanks for the advice, chaps!

David, I will know more about the bushes this week when the car is on the ramp for Waxoyling.

[ng4xjs]

I'm just wondering what mainland Europe will be like after March next year. Probably a great deal mor of "red tape" to grapple with. I guess that with many low emission zones popping up and tighter controls might prove interesting. Breakdown cover especially for our generation of transport is also becoming slightly more tedious for trips across the Chanel.

That said my car (XJS AJ16) passed it's annual MOT inspection today with emission readings of - C0 - 0.01%vol and HC - 12 ppm vol. Not bad for a 24 year old lump.

Nick

[Tris]

I've had another update from Alders, the polys are only fitted to the front ARB droplinks.