Jaguar Xk8 Xkr Front Strut Mount Replacement 1997-2006 Jag

[@oldmatelots2748]

Recently did this job on both sides of my 02 XKR. It has 54 K miles and factory original suspension. The front end was very noisy over rough roads and I was getting vibration under braking. It was easy to see the top shock mounts were bad and the bottom bush seals were torn just like the ones in this vid. Before starting I watched Phillip and some other 'how-to' vids showing both methods....top A arm pivot pulled out (JTIS & sam1174) and pivot left in place (Phillip). I pulled the fender liner and left the A arm pivots alone, but no matter what I did I couldn't get the struts out! Eventually I gave up and pulled the A arm pivot bolts and was able to easily remove both struts. It was a bit fiddly keeping track of all the caster shims and making sure they went back in the right place but nothing overwhelming. The biggest bonus, and the main point of this comment, was the discovery that all 8 top A arm bushings were trashed. They looked perfectly fine externally but when the pivot bolt was pulled, three bushes fell out, and the wear and corrosion was obvious. If I hadn't pulled the pivot bolts I would have wondered why I still had issues after the strut repair. Just sayin'....

[@josephbrown2045]

Same here, it was not easy like the video. It's like mine was several inches longer.

[@throwback19841]

yeah I have an XKR and you need to remove both wishbones basically to do it. Funnily enough... just like on a miata. Remove both a arm bolts for a much easier time. Also seeing you go at it with the spring compressors there... that part of the job i brought to a suspension shop. Those things give me the heebs. Shops have much safer tools to compress springs. I mean good on you doing it yourself but im not that brave. Watching you whaling on the spring compressor under tension had me winching and them seeing the spring compressor bolts bending under torque... eugh rather you than me mate :)

[@JCP1152P]

Glad to see someone knows how to do this without completely tearing the front end apart. Thanks

[@larryfrappier6919]

Watched 2 strut mount videos. This video was about 5 times quicker and easier. Subscribe to fix-it Philip. He knows his stuff 😊👍

[@tfleiter]

Excellent video - thank you very much. Much better instructions than any other I could find.

[@alan-zo5ju]

ok i took off the inner fender, i got to point of "prying down on the control arm' i dont have a pry bar like yours. Im not sure what you are prying against but the control arm is tougher than any of my previous Pry bars. I am afraid i wil have to deal with the wishbone, its a shame

[@SkylarkBlue_RGC]

Nice video Phil. I'm in the process of changing struts and mounts. I managed to get everything clear on the n/s (left in the UK) of my car following Jaguar's workshop manual, which actually involves removing the upper wishbone fulcrum pivot bolt. The o/s (right hand in the UK) fulcrum pivot bolt does not want to come free and I think it's seized in the bushing. I've done the usual dousing with anti seize and hammering but she's well stuck. Your method of disconnection of the stabilizer bar end links looks like my get out of jail here for the right hand side and I'll look to address that seized bolt with the help of my local indy garage afterwards. I trust you torqued up all the fasteners you removed when they went back on afterwards? 😁 I doubt your impact drill can auto sense the correct torques required. Thanks for sharing this. 👍😎

[@johncooper7242]

great video thanks for posting. I now have the knowledge of whats involved to replace one of my front struts

[@michaelking4578]

How many miles can you expect to drive before needing to replace the top mount bushings again?

[@janetmarineau5351]

I'm sorry, but straddling a compressed spring and then looking straight down on it while installing the mount is one of the most dangerous things I've seen. It may have worked here, but an unskilled person trying to copy this could be seriously hurt.

[@Doctordeath131313]

I'm with you, Janet. Hands/fingers and face in line of fire. I have done this replacement several times, but I would not attempt to copy this. Never, no not ever!

[@tommydanger60]

I was literally reading the comments to see how many people mentioned this. Thats a potential grenade if anything shifts. I only use a Branick wall mount spring compressor.

[@johncooper7242]

I see that you were using a 2x post lift . Some of these early cars are now a little rusty in the sills especially in the UK . Where would you recommend that the lift pads are placed when lifting a convertible XK8 ?

[@williamhanlon8159]

Thanks , nice concise video I'm going to tackel mine come spring of 22'

[@williamhanlon8159]

did it and no problems at all

[@Jddjdurjf]

Hi, My 02 xk has a bumpy ride. It judders over rough roads. I have 17" stock wheels so it's not the wheels. Do you think it must a full struts and shocks to be changed or just the upper assembly that you did here?

[@FixItPhillip]

Up to you, are the struts/shocks leaking? If they are due based on the miles it wouldn't hurt to do shocks and struts.

[@Jddjdurjf]

@@FixItPhillip Not sure of its history. A little degrading from the top looking at the red deposit... I think ill do the complete change, thanks.

[@FixItPhillip]

Good luck on your project! Please be sure to subscribe,much appreciated!

[@hillbilly4895]

Phillip, I have a 99 XK8 4.0 needing the same job...where'd you get the parts. Saw them on an OEM Jag parts website for just under $200/ea. Is that close to what you paid? (subbed & liked)

[@FixItPhillip]

Customer bought them, im pretty sure he got these uro parts ones on rockauto. Which show $60.79 each www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jaguar,1999,xk8,4.0l+v8,1355914,suspension,shock+mount,7572

[@misplacedpawn]

I have the same

[@patromer0126]

Thank you Phill, I have more respect mechanics. OK, 2005 Jag XK8 78K mile. On top of the wheel shows deterioration. How do I know if I should replace the entire suspension assembly (shocks), what kind would you recommend for a nice ride.

[@ericdiekmann2308]

if you're going through all the trouble to do this spend $200 and replace the shocks.

[@patromer0126]

@@ericdiekmann2308 Hello Eric, Yes, I'm replacing the entire suspension assembly. I haven't done it because my wife was ill. She's better now, so pretty soon. Take care. Pat

[@ericdiekmann2308]

@@patromer0126 well either way I'm glad you got your car done and it was recorded because of going to do mine myself and watching this video I know I can

[@twoeagledrones]

What should I pay for that job? Need it on my 1999

[@phillipperritt7787]

Thanks! I will take mine to the shop.

[@samsen3965]

I solute your courage and because I might be in your league too! would you mind to mention how much it cost you at the shop?

[@G-Soldier214]

Hey I watched the video but I had a lil trouble trying to take it out i got everything done but I just couldn't angle it out for it to come out

[@whitesnurseryvideos3170]

I too followed everything in your video, from what I can see , yet I’m unable to pull the shock/strut assembly out. Then I watch you put your shock/strut assembly back in & their appears to be tons of room. I’m so confused, as I wonder what I might be missing. Any ideas? I really don’t want to have to disconnect the wishbone.

[@FixItPhillip]

Did you remove the inner plastic fender liner?

[@TrevorHeathPhotography]

@Peter Smith I will be watching your response as I'm about to do this same job on my XKR. The only thing that stands out to me is the plastic wheel lining, I watched a guy @sam1174 do this also on youtube but he removed the top wishbone bolt and he didn't appear to remove the plastic liner. I don't want to have to remove that top wishbone bolt either...too fiddly. Phillip makes it look really easy, I have all my tools at the ready just have to prepare my bad back for a wheel lift workout! lol I will see what you come back with first Peter...good luck mate!

[@TrevorHeathPhotography]

@Peter Smith Thanks Peter, that's a shame. I will persevere and see how I get on, I noticed the pry bar pushing down to give that extra length/room in Phillips video and I'm wondering if that might be the 'secret' to the release...there was a pause/edit point right there in the video that I noticed so maybe he did a little something more right then but cut it out or paused briefly? Maybe a bit more prying downwards on that bottom bar was actually required to create a larger 'gap'? I'll see how I get on, I keep putting it off and have to focus and actually do it. Thanks for your response. Glad you have it done now at least. EDIT: Sorry Peter I had to edit this as I rewatched and there is no break/edit point when he prys the control arm down...apologies for stating that. It's a tricky manoeuvre all the same though, prying down and trying to pull the top out and over that apparent lip where the plastic liner meets the guard (or fender as you guys call them), it then suddenly pops free I notice. I might attempt to video my effort - if anything it will get a laugh maybe. (plus some cursing no doubt) 🤣😁

[@SkylarkBlue_RGC]

@Peter Smith was releasing the ball joint easy to do? I'm in the same predicament. I'll check JTIS but let me know if this was a good way around the messing about with the upper wishbone casters and shims etc

[@48sydney]

Great and clear video , thanks for this.

[@FixItPhillip]

Your welcome. Be sure to subscribe. Thanks for watching!

[@tucker8835]

@@FixItPhillip how much does it cost labor to do a job like this? I need to get my done! Thanks for the video...

[@FixItPhillip]

If i look it up on Mitchell Prodemand which is like a national labor guide it shows me the labor for replacing both front struts as a complete assemby to be 2.2 hrs of labor. Since its a little more labor to compress the spring to remove and replace just the upper mount, i would guess most shops would charge 3 to 4 hrs labor for both front strut mounts. So whatever thier hourly rate is times 3 to 4 hrs

[@FixItPhillip]

It took me about 2.5 hrs total including taking the time to film it

[@Dave-in-France]

Hi Philip, enjoyed this video and it's clarity of explanation. Just one thought though, when you put the drivers side strut back it looked as though the strut bottom bushing was worn out but not replaced - any thoughts on that?

[@FixItPhillip]

The bottom eyelet where the bolt runs through is actually a pivoting joint almost like a ball joint and it has grease inside. Its a weird design as most struts are just a solid rubber bushing haha. The dust boots that hold in the grease were torn but the actual joint itself was ok. I told the customer about it but he decided to just do the upper mounts for now. Thank you for your thoughts david.

[@ericdiekmann2308]

you don't have to pop the ball joint?

[@garyvanremortel5218]

No.

[@stevenslight2607]

Great job

[@user-ri1bl5tw9q]

BAD BUSHING ON GREEN OLD SHOCKS!