Discussion
Dropped the subframe down today to change the V mounts, not a particularly difficult job in the grand scheme of things. I unbolted the power steering rack so I could hang that out the way separately, removed the engine mounts and with that supported I could then undo everything and drop it down, using the rear mounting bolts as a hinge. 
The mounts were well on their way to being knackered!
Gave the surface rust a clean up and a splash of waxoyl on the parts to keep it nice.
Didn't take long to get it all bolted back together again, went for a test drive and all seems well!
The mounts were well on their way to being knackered!
Gave the surface rust a clean up and a splash of waxoyl on the parts to keep it nice.
Didn't take long to get it all bolted back together again, went for a test drive and all seems well!
Nice one Jas top work! Such a lot of car for the money they really are, and I think still have that classic Jaguar 'thing' about them. You'll have to put some pictures up of it too!
I know it's been a while since I updated the thread but really I've simply been driving it. It took me, 3 mates and all of our luggage to Birmingham for a stag do at the weekend and performed beautifully. It should be going into a mate of a mate's place in the next couple of weeks for some remedial bodywork as he's a bit of a magician and that's not really my thing. Looking forward to getting it looking immaculate, there's a few bits and pieces that grate on me with it so I don't mind spending a few pennies to have it how I want
I know it's been a while since I updated the thread but really I've simply been driving it. It took me, 3 mates and all of our luggage to Birmingham for a stag do at the weekend and performed beautifully. It should be going into a mate of a mate's place in the next couple of weeks for some remedial bodywork as he's a bit of a magician and that's not really my thing. Looking forward to getting it looking immaculate, there's a few bits and pieces that grate on me with it so I don't mind spending a few pennies to have it how I want
Driven it much yet? Very different to the TVR I imagine!
Too right! I do feel like all of my threads turn a bit 'look at what I broked on my car' to be honest..
Couple of snaps of it as I see I haven't uploaded many of the car in its entirety
I still giggle to myself every time the pedal goes to the floor, surprises so many repmobiles in the mornings and still proves surprisingly capable of persuading other cars out of the fast lane
Too right! I do feel like all of my threads turn a bit 'look at what I broked on my car' to be honest..
Couple of snaps of it as I see I haven't uploaded many of the car in its entirety
I still giggle to myself every time the pedal goes to the floor, surprises so many repmobiles in the mornings and still proves surprisingly capable of persuading other cars out of the fast lane
What a sod! I have had the low coolant warning on mine too so you're not alone, since topping it up about a month ago it hasn't come back thankfully. As I say getting the fan pack out isn't a particularly difficult task so it may be worth removing for a good inspection of the hoses and rad.
Well a bit of an update on the car, had a look underneath at the front tyres today and my God they've worn badly! The inside edges on both are almost completely bald so that must mean that the tracking is out by a considerable margin. I've stopped using it for a few days so I can get some new ones on Saturday morning and have the tracking set up again. Bit of a pain really!
After work I took it to the friend of a friend looking to get a quote for the bodywork. We discussed everything around the car and I made clear I wanted it done properly, no lashings of filler or any of that rubbish, weld it properly where it needs it, etc. He seems to be an absolute pro at what he does and he's quoted 800 quid for the lot. I'm really happy with that, she will be an absolute beauty afterwards. He's busy for a month or so but that's not an issue, I'm willing to wait a while to have it done.
After work I took it to the friend of a friend looking to get a quote for the bodywork. We discussed everything around the car and I made clear I wanted it done properly, no lashings of filler or any of that rubbish, weld it properly where it needs it, etc. He seems to be an absolute pro at what he does and he's quoted 800 quid for the lot. I'm really happy with that, she will be an absolute beauty afterwards. He's busy for a month or so but that's not an issue, I'm willing to wait a while to have it done.
Well I changed the track rod ends on the car this evening ready for my new tyres to be fitted and tracking done. It's a shame really as the current front tyres had a fair amount of life left in them, but unfortunately it's been scrubbing out so badly that the inside has worn out to nothing, with cord showing in places! :O
No wonder it wandered all over the road. The track rod ends weren't too bad to come off, a bit tight and rusted up but following a good heating with the blowtorch they came off. It's still quite evident that the previous garage that did my 4 wheel alignment obviously did a pretty poor job so I'm not very happy about that.
No wonder it wandered all over the road. The track rod ends weren't too bad to come off, a bit tight and rusted up but following a good heating with the blowtorch they came off. It's still quite evident that the previous garage that did my 4 wheel alignment obviously did a pretty poor job so I'm not very happy about that.
Well chaps the Jag is now wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 3s at the front and is all tracked up. What a massive improvement, it's an utter joy to drive now! Surprised how much of a difference it's made to be honest, and for a big barge it actually inspires a lot of confidence in the twisties.
Hello ess, glad to hear it. That's good value! The cheapest our local place could do was £330 for 2. I have Proxes on the TVR and as you say I can't see them doing a big car like the XJ any justice. I'm currently running some Nexen N Fera SU1s on the rear as through a mate I got them at trade price, they were ridiculously cheap but so far seem to be damn good!
Cheers chap, that's a lovely pair of cars you have there. Funnily enough when I was getting my tyres done there was another X308 XJR parked outside the garage in the same colour as yours. Is your Z4 an M? Absolutely cracking looking cars, an old boss had one and he said it was fantastically lairy for a modern car
Another update, the Jag's MOT is tomorrow so I'm hoping it passes as it hasn't been in for its bodywork yet. I noticed yesterday that the driver's seat felt a bit wobbly. Upon inspection both rear brackets from runner to base had actually broken in half. What great timing for that to happen!
So once again I took the seat out this evening and ground it back, then welded it all back together with a decent Supermig borrowed from a mate.
See the nifty Jaguar seat repair rig
Fingers crossed for the MOT tomorrow
So once again I took the seat out this evening and ground it back, then welded it all back together with a decent Supermig borrowed from a mate.
See the nifty Jaguar seat repair rig
Fingers crossed for the MOT tomorrow
Cheers for the luck, must've worked as it passed! Took it to Offord TVR, nice bunch of chaps in there with a taste for cars that are a bit different. On top of that it's a cheap MOT at 30 quid.
Few advisories to have a look at, one of the exhaust flexis is blowing slightly which I was aware of, some sill corrosion which will be sorted along with the rest of the bodywork and a tiny bit of play in the rear UJs. I'm pleasantly surprised at that because it must be said I was fearing the worst. I might have to explore other options fixing the exhaust blow because looking at exhaust sections from the Jaguar spares guys they are enormously expensive, around £1700 for that section!
Few advisories to have a look at, one of the exhaust flexis is blowing slightly which I was aware of, some sill corrosion which will be sorted along with the rest of the bodywork and a tiny bit of play in the rear UJs. I'm pleasantly surprised at that because it must be said I was fearing the worst. I might have to explore other options fixing the exhaust blow because looking at exhaust sections from the Jaguar spares guys they are enormously expensive, around £1700 for that section!
Thanks guys. I got a video this evening of the Jag on maximum attack. Sounds pretty immense off the line!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKxaAZlfMek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKxaAZlfMek
24valve said:
Nice one!
Yep I know the place in offord- I bought a Saab 9-5 3.0 from them about 10 odd years ago. One of the founders of that place set up the Great Paxton motor company just down the road and then bought my e class from him.
Offord certainly seem to get good recommendations.
That would explain the two garages within such a short distance! They've still got plenty of Saabs for sale now, no TVRs in the showroom at the moment though. I'm hoping to get the bonnet repaired on my Chimaera there soon as refitting the bonnet following putting the engine back in my dear old dad lifted his side a bit sharply and broke the fibreglass around the mounting lug. Can't say I was best pleased! Yep I know the place in offord- I bought a Saab 9-5 3.0 from them about 10 odd years ago. One of the founders of that place set up the Great Paxton motor company just down the road and then bought my e class from him.
Offord certainly seem to get good recommendations.
It can indeed shift! I must admit I was following an immaculate Stag last weekend who was taking it very gently, you could hear it was the original 3 litre too. I had to blast past with a thumbs up to show my appreciation
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