Front suspension rebuild

[simon291971449]

Hello all

My '91 facelift has been making some odd noises front the front end, and just about every bush is cracked/perished/misshapen.

Therefore, I'm dismantling and refurbishing the whole front suspension including wishbones - the lot - and replacing all rubber. I have a couple of questions:

- where should I go to buy all my bushes to get decent quality? Same with new discs.
- I have heard I can hire the spring compressor from this JEC. Any details of who to contact? Or is there alternative an alternative safe method?
- What are your thoughts on re using the springs I have?
- Last one - might be a daft question - can shock absorbers be changed without too much hassle? I was going to stick with the ones on the car, but if I changed my mind after having put everything back together, do they just bolt in and out?

Going well so far, but now time to remove springs!

Thanks

Simon

[davidr]

Hi Simon - good luck with your project and keep us posted. I'll try to answer your questions in order

Bushes - Jaguar Classic Parts is the place to go for genuine parts. The other retailers such as David Manners, SNG Barratt etc can offer both genuine and OE. My personal preference would be for OE metalastic bushes to preserve the ride quality. Others will advocate polyurethane bushes for longevity and improved handling.
Spring compressor - it can be hired from Ken Jenkins - see his advert in the magazine. I would not entertain any other method. The correct spring compressor is the only safe way to do it.
Springs - if the ride height on your car is right I would advocate having them shot blasted and powder coated so you can reuse them. In my experience replacement springs are not of the same quality
Shock absorbers - they are bolt on and can be replaced without the need to dismantle the suspension

Hope that helps
David

[ptjs1]

Simon,

+1 for David's recommendation to use only the proper spring compressor.

Poly on the top bushes may be ok, but I would absolutely use OEM metalastik on the lower wishbone.

If you measure your ride height (From bottom of subframe to level ground. Or centre of hub to wheelarch lip) and it is as per Jaguar spec, then I would clean and keep the springs. Otherwise change, but only use known quality replacements - Jaguar or otherwise. Shocks are more to do with ride, but I'd change the shock mount bushes anyway as they can be the source of annoying knocks.

Good luck & let us see some pics!

Paul

[simon291971449]

Thanks both. Much appreciated!

Simon

[PaulGover]

The killer is the rear lower wishbone fulcrum shaft. Be prepared to use an unbelievable amount of Brute Force and Ignorance. The liberal use of Anglo-Saxon expletives is de-rigueur.

[g.hammonds328624]

My XJS Celebration convertible front suspension has just been professionally rebuilt - it works well - but the front looks low. Does anyone know the correct dimension from the wheel centre to the underside of the wheel arch lip, please? I’m a bit worried about an already low and far forward front apron!
Geof.