Shock Absorbers

[Zippyworld]

Think its time for new front shocks on my 1998 XJR.

I understand that OEM was Bilstein.

I think I should be replacing with the same, but it appears to be not as easy as I thought it would be, Britishparts are saying that they supply but its a non adaptive type, which I am sure CATS is not.

Bilstein

Any thoughts on this one please ?

[Cecil]

If you have CATS you have to fit the adaptive ones, I got both my front ones done last year, no problem getting parts, although from main stealer

[peterzoom]

I replaced the front and rear shocks and also uprated the springs with a new (lower/stiffer) set from Paramount, a year and 5,000 miles ago. The shocks were o/e Jaguar items from my local Jaguar main dealer. Just had the car back in as I felt there was a slight knock from the rear suspension. The report shows that the lower shock bushes are worn and recommends that I replace the rear shocks again!!! Given that I had the car 4 wheel laser aligned after replacing the shocks and springs and there was no other, and are still no other, signs of wear in any other areas I am stunned by the short life. My local Jaguar specialist says that the o/e items (shocks) are well known for premature wear and recommends Boge replacements as replacing the bushes is as costly as replacing the shocks.
Anyone else with any advice or similar problems with main dealer supplied parts?

[P700DEE]

There does seem to be an issue with the 4.2 generation cars with them eating lower shock bushes. It should be massively cheaper to just do the bushes and you might consider non Jaguar replacements. Norman might pipe up with some solutions as this topic has been discussed on xkec , can't rember the conclusions because I have a 4.0 XKR so no problems on mine.

[NormanD]

P700DEE said:

Norman might pipe up with some solutions as this topic has been discussed on xkec , can't rember the conclusions because I have a 4.0 XKR so no problems on mine.

No problems on mine other that age/time

Although I will changing over to coil over shocks in a week or so
VERRY much after market, will report back after a few 1,000 miles


That won't take long

[peterzoom]

The coil over shocks sound like a very interesting progression and I for one would be very interested to hear how they fare.