Secrets of the Jag XK8 XKR Ep 113. Has yours drooped?

In this episode, we look at ride height, optical illusions and decaying shock mounts!
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[@andrewgraham4838]

Looking forward to this John! I did exactly the same job recently on the fronts using Bilsteins and Adamesh springs which seem to be the same as the old Arden lowering springs on my Stratstone XKR. I haven't been brave enough to tackle the rear yet. Not sure if that is beyond my home kit. Great stuff as always!

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks for the message Andrew. The back will be tougher, but I think I know a few tricks to make it doable

[@HernanSpeed]

Most of the issues are in the front, which lifts up the rear when it starts collapsing

[@user-ry5zj9ih6w]

As always really informative, my top mounts have definitely perished so will be getting one of those tape measures for sure!! Interesting point about the standard ride height and shape of the body. I had assumed there was more clearance than there actually is. Keep them coming John.

[@stevenslight2607]

Looking forward to the suspension video John. Hope to see you at the Gaydon meet in September 👍

[@ToTheGarage]

Fingers crossed!

[@philcrowell7516]

I had off centre issues very quickly with those aftermarket shock mounts and have had my originals rebuilt by a fellow enthusiast who has recast the yellow foam rubber with polyurethane. There's been no difference in ride harshness and they remain dead centre. Looking forward to your videos John!

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Phil, and yes the drift to offcentre seems to be one of the most common issues people are facing with practically all non JAG OEM mounts. So im really interested to explore it for myself

[@oaktree3278]

Sounds a great project, be good to see how she drives and no doubt she will look even more awesome😊

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Andrew. Its a reversible mod too.

[@hunty28]

Very interesting video John, look forward to seeing your suspension mods

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@ChristianACW]

I'm really looking forward to the "suspension-saga" since I'm also thinking of lowering my car but am not so sure about looks and loss of comfort... I'm curious how you will judge Purdie's behaviour after changing shock absorbers an spring mounts - I had the same things done to mine and it changed the car in an incredible (positive) way (together with new Pirellis)! Oh yes, there are a lot of interesting stories to come - can't wait 🤩

[@ian-nz-2000]

Thanks John for another informative video. I never imagined that I would find a channel dedicated to my favorite car! We have a good number of X100 cars here in New Zealand, mostly imported from Japan and usually rust free! Mine is a 2003 4.2 XKR so suspension upgrades are rather expensive...

[@ToTheGarage]

Welcome aboard! Yes you have to save a little longer if you have the CATS dampers.

[@HernanSpeed]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! 🔥🔥

[@UdoIBress]

Hi John...yes too I changed the new shock absorbers this year. Also the two upper dampers. The old ones were very defective. You can only see the damage when you remove it. This is my detection. Greetings Udo

[@davegrigg5477]

Hi John good video just wanted to say if your not dropping the whole back end down then good luck with the rears & watch your fingers theres not a lot of room for standard pair spring clamps

[@t.alanblain6313]

Thanks for another secret. Great video. It's too dark and wet to go out now, but first thing in the morning...........

[@Teoula7]

excellent , I m planning to change my front suspension soon, I ve seen some comments about the top mounts so glad you are going to try them and hopefully you will not have any problems

[@daven6357]

Nice update John, look forward to seeing how the ride changes. Should be no prob with your set-up but I found the rear shock changeout a bit of a you're going with bush replacement - more of a conventional (softer) ride or harder racier - Adamesh again seem to cater for both options In either case watch those bloody spring compressors !!

[@paulkane6645]

The 'R-Performance Handling Pack' (which was an expensive option on later XK8 and XKR Coupes) lowers the ride height by 10mm.

[@ToTheGarage]

Yes. And I think cars so equipped are likely to become very sought after among jag aficionados.👍

[@JHarlan-pn5jx]

A new XK8 owner and I'm loving it! I'm looking for a slightly sagging drivers door solution. Do I need a new pin kit or adjusting? I'm not finding an answer? Thanks so much! Keep the videos coming! I seen about 30 so far in my 15 days of Jag ownership!

[@stephenoakley1583]

Hi John. Very informative and interesting video. Very much looking forward to the suspension swap videos 👍

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@bondtony157]

Hi John, mine is a 2005 XKR, US version. I tried to have the wheels aligned, but the shop was not able to do the exact measurement. I was told by Jaguar North America, that when the cars lose the Hight, the alignment cannot be done properly. Just a thought. Thanks for posting.

[@lib556]

Great. I was going to enquire about this via email as I had seen another video elsewhere discussing suspension bushings. I suspect mine may need replacing. Now I know the correct height etc so I can check.

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad to help👍

[@JCP1152P]

Thanks John, looking forward to this project. Could you tell us who made the new upper mounts so I can look for reviews as some new mounts from what I read are not any good.

[@nrick6800]

Thanks John, very interesting secrets video, we learn so much about our cats by your precious work ! Will mesure mine tomorrow morning ! Have already change the uper damp or mount (the yellow thing😅) and lower silent blocs but I have the feeling that Lilibeth has dropped a little (yes she have a name now, my 99 princess 😅). Can’t wait to see the result of your upgrades, was wondering to do something like that.

[@ToTheGarage]

Great to hear from you. and I too am looking forward to testing both the visual and the dynamic effects of the mods

[@louisgrillo9218]

Thanks John!!

[@ToTheGarage]

You are welcome Louis. Thanks for joining the premier

[@The_Automobilist]

Very nice channel! Abarth however is pronounced "abart" a bit like in "apartment". The founder was Austrian who was successful in Italy and else were. So giving "Abarth" a little Italian accent is ok too I guess. Like "Abarte" with a rather silent "e". Keep it up!

[@olivierszwarcberg5858]

Great videos!!! I’ve got a 2003 XKR 4.2 supercharged convertible and it does look low at the front. Can you confirm what the standard front height should be ?

[@milantoth2045]

Hi Sir, whats your opinnion the replace the timing chain replace? km, year, noise ? how can U decide? Thanks a lot

[@Punisher9419]

My rear and front's are low by about an inch. The front shock mounts are worn and I know those need replacing but I don't know why the rear ride hight is low? I know there are foam rubber bushes on the rear as well but I don't think those effect the ride height. Will be intersting to see what the springs give you because I would like to do the same thing and even more interested to see how those URO shock mounts work out because I've heard such bad things about them even though everyone seems to stock them. I have CATS shocks so I would like to replace them at some point but I know they will cost a fortune.

[@ToTheGarage]

CATS shocks do add a lot to the cost, but they are such a cool feature. I suspect that at least a proportion of the issue people have had with URO is related to how they installed them. But I may be wrong and it will be interesting

[@ingleman.6529]

Another useful video John. Thank you. Love the tape measure! Are you able to confirm receipt of photo for the calandar comp? Sent at 20.47 0n Friday 21st July..Thank you.

[@gerardbooth40]

You'll need disarm your Ring doorbell next time John. I kept jumping up from my chair to see who was at the door!

[@ToTheGarage]

🤣

[@ericschultz8957]

Measurements for a 2003 XKR ?

[@ToTheGarage]

As standard it should be exactly the same unless its an XKR S or a Victory edition

[@ljw5768]

Are we still talking about cars?

[@ToTheGarage]

YUP

[@fredsottile528]

Don't need disco. Don't need dogs. Stoped at 28 seconds.