She only went in for some screen wash

[V12 Migaloo]

After the rebuild and change to manual, the XJ's been running well, rather sweetly in fact. It hasn't been serviced in 4 years, yes its had some things attended to, but other then topping the fluids, which we know is a regular occurrence, the V12 hasn't really cost that much to maintain, or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

So thought I'd get a full "intensive" service done, oh and the low AJ6 engineering exhaust looked at, and the ride looked at as well. So nothing major..... surely what could go wrong??
Then I get a phone call...... best come over and have a look.
Was shown a perfect looking near side front chassis rail, now look at the drivers side... obviously the photo shows it stripped back but with the panel in place the bulge and deformation was fairly evident.

Seems as if at some time it had some rot but only a plate was welded over.... neither me nor its previous custodian can recall any work of that nature being carried out. So that's being attended too.
Obviously the front subframe was removed

and stripped, with all components blasted


so all suspension is being repainted, with all original OEM bushes, sending the dampers back to GAZ for a rebuild (only £30 each!) as one front and 2 rears were leaking quite badly, new Jaguar Sport pack springs on route, front and rear (matched set). I have resisted the urge to go for the larger 1" anti roll bar, but if its wobbles too much its an easy enough swap.
I was never happy with the ride, and the state of the bushes showed why, nearly every bush was f...d, the front springs were different sizes and the rears had compressed quite badly, add the leaking dampers. Hoping this all does the trick without going to B6's...
Also the packers in the front springs were different (!)
So all going back to original factory mostly to dial in back some of the legendary ride without, hopefully losing its stance.
Have also stripped and rebuilt the brakes courtesy of BIG RED, which was a very satisfying job, 2 of the pistons were seized, so I cant wait to see how it stops now, new set of Yellow Stiff EBC's on route, Crossed drilled EBC disks barely worn.

We now will refit the original down pipes just to add a little more refinement and remove the AJ6 down pipes which sit too low... new stainless intermediate pipes making up the distance courtesy of Simply Performance. One of the over axle brackets was missing so that's being fixed and would've contributed to the low hanging exhaust.
Still a bit to do hence News Day to Brooklands is off the cards, but should have it back mid to end January.
Will keep you boys posted.
Happy Christmas!