XJR8 tramlines frighteningly at times.
Discussion
So what's the answer?
I've had the geometry set up and it was a country mile out. That's made a noteable difference but it still squirms like a sand snake when encountering camber change, ruts and/or pronounced white lines which can be challenging when carrying out an overtake especially wehn I travel the north section of the A1 regularly.
So, what's the answer?
It's shod with 255/40/18 tyres all round which I'm wondering if they're not a little excessive, but they do look good. Should I consider slightly narrower rubber?
I've had the front lower arms replaced, and the rear shocker bushes have been replaced previous to my ownership so is/are there any other suspension components that are likely to cause this?
One hting that needs attention is that there's a bit of vertical, (camber), play in the nearside rear wheel, but I'm not convinced that's a major contributor.
I've had the geometry set up and it was a country mile out. That's made a noteable difference but it still squirms like a sand snake when encountering camber change, ruts and/or pronounced white lines which can be challenging when carrying out an overtake especially wehn I travel the north section of the A1 regularly.
So, what's the answer?
It's shod with 255/40/18 tyres all round which I'm wondering if they're not a little excessive, but they do look good. Should I consider slightly narrower rubber?
I've had the front lower arms replaced, and the rear shocker bushes have been replaced previous to my ownership so is/are there any other suspension components that are likely to cause this?
One hting that needs attention is that there's a bit of vertical, (camber), play in the nearside rear wheel, but I'm not convinced that's a major contributor.
They're Bridgestone Potenzas up front and some budget affairs on the back which were a month old when I bought the car so figured I'd run them out before I considered changing them.
To be fair, it's most noticeable when braking from high speed. I aborted an overtake the other day and bricked myself as I crossed back over the white line when the back of the car seemed to unable to make it's mind up which lane it wanted to be in.
To be fair, it's most noticeable when braking from high speed. I aborted an overtake the other day and bricked myself as I crossed back over the white line when the back of the car seemed to unable to make it's mind up which lane it wanted to be in.
I too run on Avon ZZ3's and they seem to be better than the Pirelli's that were on there when i bought it. I am tempted to go 225 on the front next time to see of this eradicates the problem.
i have just ordered some uprated springs, lower & stiffer, maybe this will help a bit too. My other Jag, Xjr 6 doesnt seem to wander as badly and to be honest i prefer to drive that one.
I found that to overtake in a hurry is to pull out, straighten up then floor it!!! then Cack yerself if you have to pull in sharpish
i have just ordered some uprated springs, lower & stiffer, maybe this will help a bit too. My other Jag, Xjr 6 doesnt seem to wander as badly and to be honest i prefer to drive that one.
I found that to overtake in a hurry is to pull out, straighten up then floor it!!! then Cack yerself if you have to pull in sharpish

SV8Predator said:
Big Rod said:
the back of the car seemed to unable to make it's mind up which lane it wanted to be in.
This doesn't sound like a tyre problem!I'd be looking very carefully at the rear suspension, all of it.
I agree. It's not particularly a tyre problem, but the car's straight and so are the wheels, hence the reason for the post.
Big Rod said:
Yes, but they were almost new when I bought the car a few weeks ago.
They grip rather well in all fairness considering the torque they put up with.
Do you think this could be the problem?
I'm not saying they definitely are but to me it stuck out as the most obvious thing. Try swapping them front to rear and see what that does to the handling?They grip rather well in all fairness considering the torque they put up with.
Do you think this could be the problem?
I posted a couple of years ago about a frightening experience in my XK8 on a country road where I almost lost control at fairly high speed
The can was shod all round with continental tyres , the front 2 got damaged by a garage so I replaced hem with michelins
It's like a different car, I bow have confidence in it again
It's still not 100% but miles better than it was, I think I'll get the geometry checked next
The can was shod all round with continental tyres , the front 2 got damaged by a garage so I replaced hem with michelins
It's like a different car, I bow have confidence in it again
It's still not 100% but miles better than it was, I think I'll get the geometry checked next
Johnboy Mac said:
Big Rod said:
I aborted an overtake the other day and bricked myself as I crossed back over the white line when the back of the car seemed to unable to make it's mind up which lane it wanted to be in.
That reminds me of driving a car with a cracked rear sub frame.If so, where should I look?
TIA
wack said:
I posted a couple of years ago about a frightening experience in my XK8 on a country road where I almost lost control at fairly high speed
The can was shod all round with continental tyres , the front 2 got damaged by a garage so I replaced hem with michelins
It's like a different car, I bow have confidence in it again
It's still not 100% but miles better than it was, I think I'll get the geometry checked next
Thats the thing. I had the geometry checked and other than the slight camber play on the NSR wheel, it was all set straight, (except the steering wheel's at a jaunty angle now!! The can was shod all round with continental tyres , the front 2 got damaged by a garage so I replaced hem with michelins
It's like a different car, I bow have confidence in it again
It's still not 100% but miles better than it was, I think I'll get the geometry checked next
), and it goes like it's on rails on a nice flat surface, but put a camber change in the line of travel and it's very unsettling.The tyres, while they're paired per axle are an odd set. I do love the car so I might take the plunge and get a full set of proper tyres.
What're the recommended weapon of choice for XJR8s?
Big Rod said:
Thats the thing. I had the geometry checked and other than the slight camber play on the NSR wheel, it was all set straight, (except the steering wheel's at a jaunty angle now!!
), and it goes like it's on rails on a nice flat surface, but put a camber change in the line of travel and it's very unsettling.
The tyres, while they're paired per axle are an odd set. I do love the car so I might take the plunge and get a full set of proper tyres.
What're the recommended weapon of choice for XJR8s?
First get the camber play checked by a good Jag Indipendant specialist (I see you are in Scotland, that makes it more difficult)
), and it goes like it's on rails on a nice flat surface, but put a camber change in the line of travel and it's very unsettling.The tyres, while they're paired per axle are an odd set. I do love the car so I might take the plunge and get a full set of proper tyres.
What're the recommended weapon of choice for XJR8s?
If the steeing is at an angle I wouldn't be happy with the way they have set the geometry, doesn't say much for their workmanship
I usually wear Toyo T1'Rs but they are a job to get now, one thing thogh I would not use Pirrelli tyres, thwy do Tram Line
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