2001 Jaguar XK8 - Powerflex Rear Sway Bar Bushings

[@garyvanremortel5218]

I would recommend always orienting splits/openings downward to allow moisture to drain more readily. Did you not change the drop-link bushings? They need it more than the others.

[@2001JaguarXK8]

Hi Gary - yes, it did seem illogical to have the bushings installed with the splits facing up. Not sure why Jag decided to have them set up in this way from the factory, but I thought it's best to follow that factory orientation. The drop-links are original and they feel very tight, no play in them whatsoever. I'll keep them for now.

[@968porsche9]

good call. I was going to comment about that, but you already had.

[@968porsche9]

Polyurethane is typically much more rough riding than rubber, depending on the actual composition and hardness of the polyurethane.

[@2001JaguarXK8]

Agree, in the hand it feels much closer to plastic, rather than rubber. In terms of driving experience I personally have not felt any difference, but these bushings don't come into play unless the car is leaning into corners. Driving straight on the hwy even without the sway bar attached feels the same (I know because I did that when changing the diff fluid and warming up the fluid before extracting)

[@nathanlozada5469]

What sort of benefits do you feel the new Powerflex front and rear sway bar bushings added to the ride quality? Some say the ride became more stiff? Is this the case?

[@2001JaguarXK8]

Hi Nathan, I have not yet changed the front ones. At the moment at the front (swaybar) I have the original bushings, at the back I have the Powerflex. Have driven the car for only about 150-200 kilometres since the rear bushings change. So far I could not notice any difference - I have not pushed the car in corners or on a track, just normal city and highway driving. Having said this, my original bushings looked in perfect condition and maybe this is why I am not noticing much of a difference. I am thinking, if the original bushings have deteriorated significantly, then yes, replacing them with the polyurethane ones would leave you with the impression that things are stiffer. But probably in a case like that, even replacing with new OEM bushings will leave you with the same impression, I suspect.

[@victorb2910]

What jack are you using, looks cool???

[@2001JaguarXK8]

These are motorcycle scissor lift jacks. I place one on each side and lift in parallel. Got them from Amazon, relatively inexpensive: a.co/d/7ltLVq1

[@CJ5EVOLUTION]

What about the handling feeling?

[@2001JaguarXK8]

I have not noticed any difference so far. I do not push the car to the extreme, and maybe I am simply not entering the territory where a difference can be experienced. Also, the original bushings were in nearly perfect condition, so there was no deterioration or looseness to begin with.

[@968porsche9]

Those would be ANTI SWAY bar bushings. You do not want too much sway.

[@2001JaguarXK8]

I have seen it referred to as "Sway Bar", "Stabilizer Bar", as well as "Anti-Sway Bar". Not sure what is more correct, but it is a bar which controls sway, thus stabilizing the vehicle. How much or how little is a separate dimension. So Sway Bar is accurate enough for me.

[@2001JaguarXK8]

Just checked the Powerflex website and there the product is listed as "Rear Sway Bar Bushings"

[@968porsche9]

@@2001JaguarXK8 "sway bar" has become the accepted shortened version of the anti-sway. bar. It's like in my Porsches, the lighter is called a Cigar lighter. America is called a cigarette lighter. I would have to look at my service manuals to refresh my memory about if Porsche calls them anti-sway bars. I would rather my suspension anti-sway than sway!!! LOL