Hi, following on with my mission to improve the handling of my 95
x300, It seems the rear shocks on mine do appear to be weak… Now,
as my car is fitted with a rear anti-roll bar, I think I may be
correct in thinking that this is the version fitted with ‘‘sports’’
suspension?? It just seems that shock absorbers for these seem to
be around �150 each, or about double the price of the
standard ''comfort shocks… can anyone suggest an cheaper source?
alternative?? Many thanks, Richard.–
Mechaniac
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from Mechaniac sent Thu 25 Aug 2011:
Richard
Sounds like yours is a Sport (look for the logos on the
car!) with the rear a/r bar.
I had exactly the same dilemma but settled for comfort
Monroes at a fraction of the cost and included all the
correct fittings.
In view of the age and use (and the fact that I can’t exceed
50mph on roads in this area anyway) I have been very
satisfied with them.
No question Bilsteins or Konis would be better but I wonder
if you will really notice the difference (except to your
wallet) on the road in normal use ?
See my page http://tinyurl.com/ybpv23e - I had quite a
number of problems getting the thing apart !
Best wishes from Jim Butterworth
http://www.watchet.dolphins.btinternet.co.uk/
Why have I some parts left over? It came off, so it should
fit back on? Right?–
The original message included these comments:
Hi, following on with my mission to improve the handling of my 95
x300, It seems the rear shocks on mine do appear to be weak… Now,
as my car is fitted with a rear anti-roll bar, I think I may be
correct in thinking that this is the version fitted with ‘‘sports’’
suspension?? It just seems that shock absorbers for these seem to
be around �150 each, or about double the price of the
standard ''comfort shocks… can anyone suggest an cheaper source?
alternative?? Many thanks, Richard.
–
1995 3.2 Sport - http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1262090878
Somerset, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from Mechaniac sent Thu 25 Aug 2011:
… I suppose I should add to the above… Is it perfectly
acceptable to fit standard shocks to the rear, as opposed to sports
shocks? Its not as though I drive this thing like a sports car??
But anything would be an improvement on the wallowing around Im
getting at the moment :)–
Mechaniac
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from sfj642 sent Thu 25 Aug 2011:
Well, this is the thing… I have no Logos on the car, but
definately a rear anti-roll bar… I wonder if someone fitted it in
the past…–
The original message included these comments:
Sounds like yours is a Sport (look for the logos on the
car!) with the rear a/r bar.
–
Mechaniac
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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IMHO, FWIW, etc etc…
I think the handling/cornering improvement of the SportsPack (or whatever
they call it) suspension comes mostly from the bigger front ARB and
addition of the rear ARB. After that, the stiffer springs.
The beefier shocks no doubt help control the suspension but in
non-aggressive driving I think the standard shocks would be OK and the
Sports shocks hardly missed.
If you enjoy canyon-carving through the twisties, though, you’d want the
sports shocks.
Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “sfj642” sfj642@btinternet.com
Sounds like yours is a Sport (look for the logos on the
car!) with the rear a/r bar.No question Bilsteins or Konis would be better but I wonder
if you will really notice the difference (except to your
wallet) on the road in normal use ?
In reply to a message from Mechaniac sent Thu 25 Aug 2011:
Richard
Mine has ‘‘Sport’’ logos on the boot and both BC posts between
the doors.
However checking the brochure, I see that Sports suspension
was an extra-cost option on the XJ6 and Sovereign so maybe
that was specified.
Best wishes from Jim Butterworth
http://www.watchet.dolphins.btinternet.co.uk/
I like long walks.
especially when they are taken by people who annoy me :-S–
1995 3.2 Sport - http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1262090878
Somerset, United Kingdom
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You may even have an LSD! My German registered car according to the log
book and logos is a plain vanilla XJ6. However, over the years as I
worked on the car and gleaned knowledge from this list, I discovered
that the original purchaser had specified a Sports Pack option. This
included green shocks, rear ARB and an LSD. Also the seats appear to be
a sports version. Funnily enough, the car was not fitted with a
photochromic rear-view mirror or high-level brakelight! I had to fit
those myself.
HTH
Chris C
Mechaniac wrote:> In reply to a message from sfj642 sent Thu 25 Aug 2011:
Well, this is the thing… I have no Logos on the car, but
definately a rear anti-roll bar… I wonder if someone fitted it in
the past…–
The original message included these comments:Sounds like yours is a Sport (look for the logos on the
car!) with the rear a/r bar.–
Mechaniac
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from Chris Copplestone sent Fri 26 Aug 2011:
I see on the David Manners (no affiliation) they still have the
german spec Bilstein yellow dampers for �114. They also list Boge
and Monroe. If you go for the harder shocks you could always adjust
your rear tyre pressures to a setting you feel comfortable with.
There is also Bilstein UK in Leicester who I have been informed
will refurbish your shocks and possibly even do it to your spec.–
Lawrence. 1995 XJR. 1997 3.2 Sport. Scotland.
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In reply to a message from 6cyl.DOHC sent Fri 26 Aug 2011:
Lawrence is correct about the Bilstein Rebuilding Program.
As he said they will valve them any way you want at the same time.
I had my 95 XJR shocks done 7 years ago, The cost was $65US each.
Check that out, it could be your best option.
I wanted mine to be set to the German spec that Bilstein has for
cars that frequent the autobahn. It worked out great.
Talk to them they are very knowledgeable.
Shock rates, for the most part are tuned to the weight of the car
and the spring rate.
The primary objective is to keep the tires in contact with the
ground under all conditions.
To do that, the Bounce and Jounce damping rates of the shocks must
dampen the springs natural tendency to oscillate when activated.
Comfort and feel are secondary and are minor tweaks to the
principal objective.
Unless you have removed them, it is very difficult to tell if the
handling problem is caused by the valves in the shock wearing out
or loss of fluid or more often than not, the upper isolators and or
lower bushings are tired.
My rear upper isolators were 80% disintegrated and the lower
spherical bushings were trash. The shocks themselves were fine. I
simply wanted the valve rates changed.
In addition I replaced the spring isolator, they were about %50
disintegrated.
Living as close as you do to a Bilstine Shop, pull the shocks, take
them to Bilstein and have them test the shocks on their Dyno. It’s
the only way to really tell what shape they are in, unless they
are really bad, and that would be very unusual.–
SpeedyPAL 1995 XJR
Milford / OH, United States
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In reply to a message from SpeedyPAL sent Fri 26 Aug 2011:
As always folks, many thanks for your replies… The ‘‘state’’ of the
rear shocks is that if I bounce the rear of the car, it returns up
then down then up then down… Have recently spent quite a bit of
time and effort totally chasing gremlins out of the front end of
the car, so will pull the back end down and go for likewise… I
know I have at least one diff bearing to attend to and one of the
hubs requires attention… Im not too bothered about having a car
that has razor sharp handling as I tend to use it very sedately,
cruising at 20mph through the Morecambe Bronx with Mozart blasting
out of the stereo… Nah, but seriously… Many thanks gentlemen :)–
Mechaniac
Lancaster, United Kingdom
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