Chopping springs?
Discussion
Evening All,
I've been trying to sort out a problem with the front of my XJS. Basically after adding new springs (bought about two years ago) to my car (about a year ago), I've found that the car is sitting about an inch too high at the front.
I've removed the springs and checked that there are no packing rings (which can adjust the height). I've also checked that I've got the right springs too.
Now on investigation, it turns out that Jaguar rationalised the spring choices for early XJ cars. Basically there seem to be two choices now: ones suitable for V-12 and ones suitable for six-cylinder cars (of which mine is one).
So if I have the "right" springs, and the car sits too high, I'm wondering what my options are. My parts supplier has sugested upgrading to the DB7 front-end (at cost of £££££), but I'm wondering if it is feasible to cut the springs down slightly.
Anyone done this? How much should I cut off of a 12" spring (uncompressed) to get a 1" less compressed height? What should I cut with (hacksaw or grinder)?
All hints and suggestions welcome.
Sheepy.
I've been trying to sort out a problem with the front of my XJS. Basically after adding new springs (bought about two years ago) to my car (about a year ago), I've found that the car is sitting about an inch too high at the front.
I've removed the springs and checked that there are no packing rings (which can adjust the height). I've also checked that I've got the right springs too.
Now on investigation, it turns out that Jaguar rationalised the spring choices for early XJ cars. Basically there seem to be two choices now: ones suitable for V-12 and ones suitable for six-cylinder cars (of which mine is one).
So if I have the "right" springs, and the car sits too high, I'm wondering what my options are. My parts supplier has sugested upgrading to the DB7 front-end (at cost of £££££), but I'm wondering if it is feasible to cut the springs down slightly.
Anyone done this? How much should I cut off of a 12" spring (uncompressed) to get a 1" less compressed height? What should I cut with (hacksaw or grinder)?
All hints and suggestions welcome.
Sheepy.
Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure why cutting the spring is dangerous. Granted, the heat generated will alter the spring rate, but I'm not sure about dangerous.
Problem with finding the "right" springs is that no-one seems to have any idea a) why mine are wrong, b) what I coudl buy off the shelf to solve the problem or c) what the spring rates etc are so I can get some custom ones made.
My original Jaguar parts supplier (who I no longer use and would recommend people to avoid) suggested that "your car must be wrong"
Oh yes, silly me 
I'd not noticed that my XJS was a special light version made just for me by BL 
And they had the cheek to ask why I'd stopped buying parts from them!
Sheepy
Problem with finding the "right" springs is that no-one seems to have any idea a) why mine are wrong, b) what I coudl buy off the shelf to solve the problem or c) what the spring rates etc are so I can get some custom ones made.
My original Jaguar parts supplier (who I no longer use and would recommend people to avoid) suggested that "your car must be wrong"
Oh yes, silly me I'd not noticed that my XJS was a special light version made just for me by BL And they had the cheek to ask why I'd stopped buying parts from them! Sheepy
lanciachris said:Hi Chris,
More likely the shocks and springs at the rear are knackered.
Nope, they are brand-new and the back is sitting at almost the perfect height as per the original Jaguar specs.
There does not seem to be a logical explaination (other than possibly a bad batch of springs which the supplier denies).
Sheepy
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