X type rear suspension snag
Discussion
Just bought a 3 litre X type, 2002. Did all my research, not a single knock or thump or whine from the transmission or rear suspension, took the car out for a reasonable test drive, all seems well.
The thing is that I've driven / drive cars with a much firmer suspension ride over the last 6 years so I'm used to a more planted feel. The rear of the Jag just seems a bit 'floaty'. Anyone care to tell me this is normal before I throw money at my favourite mechanic looking at worn bushes / sway arms / tired shocks?
Lovely car though!
The thing is that I've driven / drive cars with a much firmer suspension ride over the last 6 years so I'm used to a more planted feel. The rear of the Jag just seems a bit 'floaty'. Anyone care to tell me this is normal before I throw money at my favourite mechanic looking at worn bushes / sway arms / tired shocks?
Lovely car though!
I have a 2002 3.0 too. Mine's an se so expected it to be a bit soft.
Came to it from a BMW 540i (1993) and it felt sooooo squidgy in comparison.
I played with tyre pressures a bit and got used to the handling being a little soft all round. Having said that both your car and mine are into the age of suspension wear (mine has 74k on it) so it's reasonable to expect things to be near time for replacement.
I quite like the floaty nature and don't find it impedes progress or enjoyment, but do wonder if renewing bushes and dampers would transform it....(as well as my wallet)
Came to it from a BMW 540i (1993) and it felt sooooo squidgy in comparison.
I played with tyre pressures a bit and got used to the handling being a little soft all round. Having said that both your car and mine are into the age of suspension wear (mine has 74k on it) so it's reasonable to expect things to be near time for replacement.
I quite like the floaty nature and don't find it impedes progress or enjoyment, but do wonder if renewing bushes and dampers would transform it....(as well as my wallet)
Is yours a sport or one of the other models?
Mine is a sport and having finally sorted out the last of the niggles on the back suspension I can report, in my eyes, it is now perfect. The ride is spot on and not too harsh as I might have expected.
The rear anti roll bar bushes seemed to have more of an effect than just the dreaded rear knock that's common. Replacing them has tightened everything up a treat. You can get genuine jag ones on ebay for £12 plus the postage.
I checked most of my rear bushes and didn't take too long to take it apart and check them properly.
Bear with it, its worth the effort in the end.
Mine is a sport and having finally sorted out the last of the niggles on the back suspension I can report, in my eyes, it is now perfect. The ride is spot on and not too harsh as I might have expected.
The rear anti roll bar bushes seemed to have more of an effect than just the dreaded rear knock that's common. Replacing them has tightened everything up a treat. You can get genuine jag ones on ebay for £12 plus the postage.
I checked most of my rear bushes and didn't take too long to take it apart and check them properly.
Bear with it, its worth the effort in the end.
Cheers folks. Polybushed the rear of my old Alfa Spider, more for preventative measures than anything to do with handling, so I am a fan.
The car's done 62k miles, so might be due. Closer investigation suggests it might well be to do with the s
tty pirelli p6000s that are on it. Had snags with those things before - tramlining, vague feel, floatiness.
The car's done 62k miles, so might be due. Closer investigation suggests it might well be to do with the s
tty pirelli p6000s that are on it. Had snags with those things before - tramlining, vague feel, floatiness.Check the Tyre pressures.
They need surprising high pressures. (This is from memory, my handbook is in the car!) but there are 2 recommended pressures.
Comfort setting is 32psi all around. The handbook also says that you should not exceed 100Mph with these pressures.
The other setting is 36psi front and 34psi rear which is what I set mine to. It does make a pretty big difference to the feel of the car.
Worth trying because it won't cost anything.
They need surprising high pressures. (This is from memory, my handbook is in the car!) but there are 2 recommended pressures.
Comfort setting is 32psi all around. The handbook also says that you should not exceed 100Mph with these pressures.
The other setting is 36psi front and 34psi rear which is what I set mine to. It does make a pretty big difference to the feel of the car.
Worth trying because it won't cost anything.
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