Couple more maintenance questions... Can anyone help?

[G_T]

I've just started budgeting for maintenance on the old XJR (1998) and I'm just wondering if anyone can help me as I've a couple of questions;

1) I'm wanting to replace the 255/40/18 fronts with 235/40/18 to reduce the tramlining and improve the driveability a little. Is this reduction in width too much/not enough?

2) I'm going to change the gearbox oil/filter this summer and ideally, with the help of a more experienced mate, I'm hoping to do this myself. I know there was a magazine article published outlining the procedure. Does anybody know when it was published and by whom so I can buy a copy? Found it. JEC magazine Feb 2008

3) The front lower ball joints look like they've seen better days. I understand I need a press to remove the old ones/fit the new ones without buying a new wishbone. However it looks a bit complicated under there... Will I be able to do the job without using a spring press if I just remove the supension top mounts? (Spring compressors scare the st out of me to be honest!)

I'm also contemplating doing all the bushes and anti-roll bar odds and sods at the same time as I'll already have the press borrowed and the full front end kit is for sale for £150. Is this a good idea or a potential nightmare?

4) I have the JTIS manual and I cannot for the life of me find any mention of the engine part-load/half-load breathers that need changing (I also find the layout of the CD a fking nightmare!) Can anybody point me in the right direction where they are outlined in the manual?

5) I'm also doing the supercharger belt, possibly changing the pulley size (have pulley pullers), and contemplating snazzing up the chargecooler with some polish and laquer (I'm envious of some of the "custom" jobs I've seen floating around the forum!) Any tips on fitment of removal of the belts/pulley would be gratefully received! (I have the JTIS manual but I'm not one to underestimate the value of experience).

Any help is appreciated guys! I've decided that I need to get all these "little jobs" sorted before I contemplate further tinkering.

Gareth

Edited by G_T on Friday 20th February 17:02

[P700DEE]

G_T said:

I've just started budgeting for maintenance on the old XJR (1998) and I'm just wondering if anyone can help me as I've a couple of questions;

1) I'm wanting to replace the 255/40/18 fronts with 235/40/18 to reduce the tramlining and improve the driveability a little. Is this reduction in width too much/not enough?
No comment,

2) I'm going to change the gearbox oil/filter this summer and ideally, with the help of a more experienced mate, I'm hoping to do this myself. I know there was a magazine article published outlining the procedure. Does anybody know when it was published and by whom so I can buy a copy?
JWM published, I think in the XK8 work they covered it.

3) The front lower ball joints look like they've seen better days. I understand I need a press to remove the old ones/fit the new ones without buying a new wishbone. However it looks a bit complicated under there... Will I be able to do the job without using a spring press if I just remove the supension top mounts? (Spring compressors scare the st out of me to be honest!)

I'm also contemplating doing all the bushes and anti-roll bar odds and sods at the same time as I'll already have the press borrowed and the full front end kit is for sale for £150. Is this a good idea or a potential nightmare?

4) I have the JTIS manual and I cannot for the life of me find any mention of the engine part-load/half-load breathers that need changing (I also find the layout of the CD a fking nightmare!) Can anybody point me in the right direction where they are outlined in the manual?
Saw this as a download on www.jjaguar.com Not changing, cleaning.

5) I'm also doing the supercharger belt, possibly changing the pulley size (have pulley pullers), and contemplating snazzing up the chargecooler with some polish and laquer (I'm envious of some of the "custom" jobs I've seen floating around the forum!) Any tips on fitment of removal of the belts/pulley would be gratefully received! (I have the JTIS manual but I'm not one to underestimate the value of experience).
Changing the belt is very easy just a 1/2" socket in the tensioner and you can release the tension to remove the belt. Changing pulleys you need to change to a different belt size. Jaguar have upgraded the tensioners and idler to reduce the noise with a new belt. Might be worth getting it done if you are changing belt etc.

Any help is appreciated guys! I've decided that I need to get all these "little jobs" sorted before I contemplate further tinkering.

Gareth

[G_T]

Cheers for that. I'll definately double check what tensioners have been installed. I'm fairly confident everything was updated a year or so ago by the previous owner (friend's dad) but I'll double check whilst it's all off.

[groomi]

G_T said:

1) I'm wanting to replace the 255/40/18 fronts with 235/40/18 to reduce the tramlining and improve the driveability a little. Is this reduction in width too much/not enough?

Before going down that route, you may want to consider the following points:

1) Unusually for a car like this, all the wheels are the same size enabling swapping of wheels front to back to prolong tyre life (You may or may not be worried about this).

2) The original fitment P Zeros are known for bad tramlining. I have changed to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's and find them much better (although there is still some tramlining). Maybe other tyres would reduce the tramlining further?

3) The worn ball joints and bushes you're going to replace will all be making the tramlining worse - so do these first and then see how it feels.


Oh, and well done for not dipping into your pockets and handing everything over to a garage at the first sign of work. I'd love to do the same, but the complexity of the car scares the cr*p out of me!

[G_T]

Cheers groomi.

You're definately right about the balljoints exacerbating the problems. However the tyres need changing anyway (So no swapping around!) and the rears are brand new so it would be at least a year before I could even contemplat it and the tread patterns would be different.

It's also significantly cheaper getting tyres a few cm less width. I'm also of the opinion that having narrower tyres on the front will improve handling as I've never seen a 255 all around set up!

Only problem I have with regard to maintenance is it's tricky getting advice on the work as most people, understandably, take the cars striaght to a Jag indy before attempting the work themselves. The JTIS manual is very good but the way manufacturers do things is not necessarily the best way...