XJS front end

[cml]

Just had the yearly wallet-punishing experience that is the MOT. Which this year includes a new windscreen and door handle.

Annnnywayyy: the only minor thing that was mentioned was a worn front wheel bearing. I am unhappy with the front end of the car as a whole. It just doesn’t appear confident under heavy braking or when setting itself up for a fast corner. There appears to be some hesitation of the part of the front wheels over exactly what line they are going to take. Could the bearing be causing this? Or is this just a trait of the car? What about the bushes? I guess a strip and rebuild with polybushes would be in order. How about the steering rack ones too? Any thoughts?




Definition of an optimist: somebody who thinks they can just run an Aston Martin. Or in my case a Jag.

[groomi]

When I had my XJ40 (which is pretty similar/nigh on identical underneath), the difference having all the suspension bushes replaced was amazing. Another possibility could be a worn shock absorber.

[cml]

There is definitly something up - she makes a grinding noise when the nose dips now. Going downhill mostly, but soemtimes under braking. She pulls up straight though. Another trip to my local friendly specialist in in order.

What effect did the polybushes have exactly?

[groomi]

Didn't put polybushes on, just a complete new set of standard rubber ones.

Made a huuuuuuge difference, car was much more solid and stable, less body roll, less dive and squat, zero tramlining and it improved the ride, not that anything ever felt wrong with the ride!

Not sure what the grinding noise could be, possibly worn bushes not allowing the shock to compress correctly in line???

Good luck getting it sorted.

[cml]

Cheers for that, sounds like just the job.

What is up with polybushes? Are they too hard?

I've a few quid coming soon, so I'll get them sorted. Sould I do all round? I was going to start with the front only (it was only a few quid!)

[groomi]

With my XJ40 I didn't want to compromise the refinement at all and I was advised that polybushes would allow a bit more vibration into the cabin.

I have heard of a few people fitting them to XJSs before (presumably because they want a sportier ride in a sportier car - probably what you're after too). I also seem to recall something about the steering rack which was advised to be changed, but I can't remember why.

Any XJS owners out there who can help out???

[xjsjohn]

fitted poly bushes to mine, along with Koni shocks all round (seemed worth doing the whole shop) a year ago ... havent had a problem with them, cant say that they make the car any rougher or the ride inside any louder. I went for the poly bushes as they were aledgedly more resiliant to having excess oil squirted all over them and are supposed to last a bit longer.

I am happy.