X350 Air Suspension Symptoms
Discussion
Hi all
I'm going to look at a couple of X350 XJ's in the next week or so, and obviously have to look out for air suspension faults.
What do you need to look out for though? If the compressor is on the way out, does this affect right height, or what other symptom suggests this problem?
Also, if the shocks are going, can this be tested with the normal 'bounce' check, or does this not apply to such systems?
As always, all help appreciated.
I'm going to look at a couple of X350 XJ's in the next week or so, and obviously have to look out for air suspension faults.
What do you need to look out for though? If the compressor is on the way out, does this affect right height, or what other symptom suggests this problem?
Also, if the shocks are going, can this be tested with the normal 'bounce' check, or does this not apply to such systems?
As always, all help appreciated.
All the answers will be found on this forum http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/ just ask away
If the air suspension is faulty it will tell you on the dash. You will also notice its either riding way too high or sitting on the ground so pretty obvious. The most common air suspension fault is a tired compressor which will sometimes (but not always) throw a suspension fault. Usually worse when the weather is cold - so buy on a cold day if you want to have the best chance of seeing a fault. Compressors can be serviced with a kit from ebay for a few quid if you are handy with the spanners, reconditions replacement probably £400+ ish IIRC
Also know the symptoms of 'the lurch' which affects S type and X350 Jags http://www.thelurch.com/
The only advice I can really give you is that if there are any faults at all showing on the dash just walk away.
ETA Be aware, XJs eat suspension bushes and while these can be fixed relatively cheaply (hundreds not thousands of ££) you will need to get to a good independent garage as dealers will run you a bill into the thousands. You can pretty much guarantee that whatever you buy will need one or more bushes sorting so look for paperwork/evidence that either they have been done or that the last MOT had advisories against them so they need sorting.
If the air suspension is faulty it will tell you on the dash. You will also notice its either riding way too high or sitting on the ground so pretty obvious. The most common air suspension fault is a tired compressor which will sometimes (but not always) throw a suspension fault. Usually worse when the weather is cold - so buy on a cold day if you want to have the best chance of seeing a fault. Compressors can be serviced with a kit from ebay for a few quid if you are handy with the spanners, reconditions replacement probably £400+ ish IIRC
Also know the symptoms of 'the lurch' which affects S type and X350 Jags http://www.thelurch.com/
The only advice I can really give you is that if there are any faults at all showing on the dash just walk away.
ETA Be aware, XJs eat suspension bushes and while these can be fixed relatively cheaply (hundreds not thousands of ££) you will need to get to a good independent garage as dealers will run you a bill into the thousands. You can pretty much guarantee that whatever you buy will need one or more bushes sorting so look for paperwork/evidence that either they have been done or that the last MOT had advisories against them so they need sorting.
Edited by Dodsy on Saturday 25th October 21:38
Dodsy said:
ETA Be aware, XJs eat suspension bushes and while these can be fixed relatively cheaply (hundreds not thousands of ££) you will need to get to a good independent garage as dealers will run you a bill into the thousands. You can pretty much guarantee that whatever you buy will need one or more bushes sorting so look for paperwork/evidence that either they have been done or that the last MOT had advisories against them so they need sorting.
I'm actually about to embark on a rear end re-bush this weekend. Replacement parts are readily available and sensibly priced:- upper wishbones (new) - £95 + VAT each
- lower wishbone bushes - spherical - £120 for 4
- lower wishbone bush - silentblock (replacing with polybush) - £40 a pair
(you can get complete lower wishbones for £165 + VAT)
- stabiliser arms - £35 + VAT each
- hydraulic press off ebay - £60
Only one I'm hoping is OK, because it's a pain otherwise, is the lower shock bush *crosses fingers*
I'm working on the basis of a couple of days, because I know something is going to give me grief, but it's mostly straightforward.
On the buying front, make sure the car has had all the recalls done (if it's a V8, look for the brake pipe recall in particular), and depending on mileage see if the gearbox has been serviced. If not, set aside £500 for that to be done at an idependent place (ideally you need to diagnostic software to check levels).
Nick M said:
I'm actually about to embark on a rear end re-bush this weekend. Replacement parts are readily available and sensibly priced:
- upper wishbones (new) - £95 + VAT each
- lower wishbone bushes - spherical - £120 for 4
- lower wishbone bush - silentblock (replacing with polybush) - £40 a pair
(you can get complete lower wishbones for £165 + VAT)
- stabiliser arms - £35 + VAT each
- hydraulic press off ebay - £60
Only one I'm hoping is OK, because it's a pain otherwise, is the lower shock bush *crosses fingers*
I'm working on the basis of a couple of days, because I know something is going to give me grief, but it's mostly straightforward.
On the buying front, make sure the car has had all the recalls done (if it's a V8, look for the brake pipe recall in particular), and depending on mileage see if the gearbox has been serviced. If not, set aside £500 for that to be done at an idependent place (ideally you need to diagnostic software to check levels).
I didn't know about this - I will get mine checked! Thanks- upper wishbones (new) - £95 + VAT each
- lower wishbone bushes - spherical - £120 for 4
- lower wishbone bush - silentblock (replacing with polybush) - £40 a pair
(you can get complete lower wishbones for £165 + VAT)
- stabiliser arms - £35 + VAT each
- hydraulic press off ebay - £60
Only one I'm hoping is OK, because it's a pain otherwise, is the lower shock bush *crosses fingers*
I'm working on the basis of a couple of days, because I know something is going to give me grief, but it's mostly straightforward.
On the buying front, make sure the car has had all the recalls done (if it's a V8, look for the brake pipe recall in particular), and depending on mileage see if the gearbox has been serviced. If not, set aside £500 for that to be done at an idependent place (ideally you need to diagnostic software to check levels).
Nick M said:
I'm actually about to embark on a rear end re-bush this weekend. Replacement parts are readily available and sensibly priced:
- upper wishbones (new) - £95 + VAT each
- lower wishbone bushes - spherical - £120 for 4
- lower wishbone bush - silentblock (replacing with polybush) - £40 a pair
(you can get complete lower wishbones for £165 + VAT)
- stabiliser arms - £35 + VAT each
- hydraulic press off ebay - £60
Only one I'm hoping is OK, because it's a pain otherwise, is the lower shock bush *crosses fingers*
I'm working on the basis of a couple of days, because I know something is going to give me grief, but it's mostly straightforward.
Blimey...- upper wishbones (new) - £95 + VAT each
- lower wishbone bushes - spherical - £120 for 4
- lower wishbone bush - silentblock (replacing with polybush) - £40 a pair
(you can get complete lower wishbones for £165 + VAT)
- stabiliser arms - £35 + VAT each
- hydraulic press off ebay - £60
Only one I'm hoping is OK, because it's a pain otherwise, is the lower shock bush *crosses fingers*
I'm working on the basis of a couple of days, because I know something is going to give me grief, but it's mostly straightforward.
Yes, the car gave me grief, largely because somethings were being undone for the first time since they were put together and rusty nuts and bolts were a pain.
That said, I now have new bushes in the lower wishbone (left the silentblock ones in the end - they were fine), new upper wishbones and new stabiliser arms.
Main issues was not getting the old bushes out, but getting the new ones in to the correct depth so they fitted back into the chassis and didn't muck up the suspension geometry.
We have a lathe and milling machine and made various mandrels and jigs to get things in the right place, but it wasn't the work of a moment. In hindsight I should have paid the extra for replacement lower wishbones complete with new bushes already fitted.
However, it's all back together now and working fine, so off to get the rear alignment checked tomorrow and it should hopefully now pass its MOT next weekend *crosses fingers*
Nick M said:
However, it's all back together now and working fine, so off to get the rear alignment checked tomorrow and it should hopefully now pass its MOT next weekend *crosses fingers*
Bugger...Failed on a front upper wishbone balljoint, which is irritating as the Jag specialist I took it to for the gearbox oil change was specifically asked to diagnose and find the problem with a slight knock from the front end, which they claimed was a track rod end. But apparently the balljoint was properly cream-crackered, so rather disappointed they didn't find it...
So, a pair of new front upper wishbones has been ordered and I'll swap them over and get it re-tested next weekend.
Ahhh, the joys of older car ownership...
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