[xj-s] Slightly misleading info on rear subframe removal

XJ-S
1

Make some notes in your Kirby book if you want to
clarify for yourself the section on removing the rear
subframe. Kirby states…

“The basic idea is to put the rear of the car on
jackstands, position a floor jack under the center of
the IRS, unbolt it from the car, lower it and roll it
out from under the car. The first challenge: You need
to get the rear of the car high enough to get the
suspension out from underneath. To get it out the
rear of the car, the lowest point of the bottom of the
trunk needs to be higher than the height of your floor
jack when fully collapsed plus 13�. Plus an inch for
fudge, just to make sure.”

And then it goes on about other problems with lifting
the car so high in the air.

That requires HUGE jackstands and requires lifting the
car probably higher than many of us are used to.

The rear of the car doesn’t need to go this high
because you are not removing the rear end backwards
under the trunk… you should be removing it sideways
out one of the wheel arches. In theory, with the
wheels off, the car doesn’t need to be much higher off
the ground than it is when you drive it.

–John__________________________________
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2

In reply to a message from John Elwood sent Thu 9 Dec 2004:

I think Kirby’s saying to leave the road wheels and tires on the
IRS and literally roll it out.

With the wheels off, its a lot lower, but its also a lot harder to
drag out, unless its laying on some industrial roller skates of
some sort.–
The original message included these comments:

out one of the wheel arches. In theory, with the
wheels off, the car doesn’t need to be much higher off
the ground than it is when you drive it.

–
Joe Bialy, ’ 87 XJ-S & '94 XJ-40
Grosse Ile, Michigan, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

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3

That’s my reading too. However, there have been a couple
dolly designs posted, and one lister said that a motorcycle lift
works just fine. The latter go for $60 or so at Harbor Freight
or Costco.

One day I’ll take the leap…

Ed Sowell
76 XJ-S
http://www.efsowell.us/ed/myJag.html

I think Kirby’s saying to leave the road wheels and tires on the
IRS and literally roll it out.

With the wheels off, its a lot lower, but its also a lot harder to
drag out, unless its laying on some industrial roller skates of
some sort.

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4

In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Thu 9 Dec 2004:

I’ve got pieces of IRS and a new 3.31 diff all over my
workshop now. The original plan was to build up a new one
then swap it out with the 2.88 in their now. So meanwhile,
along comes an XJ40 with a bad head gasket- which in reality
has a majorly overheated, destroyed block. THREE 4.0 engines
later, I’m still trying to put it back together so I can get
back to the IRS!

I thought the later XJ40’s were bullet-proof, but based on
the three motors I’ve had apart so far, their kinda
worrysome. The first one had cylinder liners that fell down
into the block- not encouraging. The second and third ones
were so tired it was amazing they even ran at all. Hopefully
#4 will be OK.

V12’s with dropping valve seats, 4.0 AJ6’s with head gasket
woes, and early V-8’s with nikasil bores doesn’t add up to
very much.–
The original message included these comments:

One day I’ll take the leap…

–
Joe Bialy, ’ 87 XJ-S & '94 XJ-40
Grosse Ile, Michigan, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

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5

Hi Joe,

Were those supposed to be words of encouragement???

Ed

I’ve got pieces of IRS and a new 3.31 diff all over my
workshop now. The original plan was to build up a new one
then swap it out with the 2.88 in their now. So meanwhile,
along comes an XJ40 with a bad head gasket- which in reality
has a majorly overheated, destroyed block. THREE 4.0 engines
later, I’m still trying to put it back together so I can get
back to the IRS!

I thought the later XJ40’s were bullet-proof, but based on
the three motors I’ve had apart so far, their kinda
worrysome. The first one had cylinder liners that fell down
into the block- not encouraging. The second and third ones
were so tired it was amazing they even ran at all. Hopefully
#4 will be OK.

V12’s with dropping valve seats, 4.0 AJ6’s with head gasket
woes, and early V-8’s with nikasil bores doesn’t add up to
very much.

The original message included these comments:

One day I’ll take the leap…

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6

In reply to a message from JaguarJoe sent Thu 9 Dec 2004:

With the wheels off, its a lot lower, but its also a lot
harder to drag out, unless its laying on some industrial
roller skates of some sort.

I agree. I removed the rear subframe from my parts donor
XJ-S. I was suprised how easy it was. I made up ‘industrial
roller skates’ from wood and castor wheels, and slid out the
subframe sideways. With the wheels removed, I did not need
to have the car jacked-up dangerously high at all.

Regards
George–
1989 XJ-S 3.6
London, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

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7

In a message dated 12/10/2004 7:05:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, “George Bray” georgebray1961@hotmail.com writes:

I removed the rear subframe from my parts donor
XJ-S. I was suprised how easy it was. I made up ‘industrial
roller skates’ from wood and castor wheels, and slid out the
subframe sideways.

Does anyone who has wrestled with a rear subframe out of the car have a weight estimate for the assembly (e.g. 200-250 lb.)? Can it be lifted by two men (NOT on steroids ;-)?

George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
85 & 89 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP

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8

George,

One person can muscle the subframe around within certain limits. To
really lift and carry it, two people should be able to handle it. Your
weight estimate sounds reasonable. It’s heavier than the transmission,
which I have picked up and carried.

John Robison
EOP1 Development Engineer - Oxygen Sensors
e-mail: john.robison@us.bosch.com
Phone: (864) 260-8689
Fax: (864) 260-8118

Does anyone who has wrestled with a rear subframe out of the car have a
weight estimate for the assembly (e.g. 200-250 lb.)? Can it be lifted by
two men (NOT on steroids ;-)?

George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
85 & 89 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP

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9

All you need is your wife’s permission to put her
car out in the drive while you’re doing the
subframe!

Ed Sowell
76 XJ-S
http://www.efsowell.us/ed/myJag.html

I agree. I removed the rear subframe from my parts donor
XJ-S. I was suprised how easy it was. I made up ‘industrial
roller skates’ from wood and castor wheels, and slid out the
subframe sideways. With the wheels removed, I did not need
to have the car jacked-up dangerously high at all.

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10

You are going about it all wrong.
You simply drop the cage on a flat furniture dolly, then grab the rear
bumper and swing the car over to the side. ( just kidding) If you have four
casters and a couple of 18 inch long 2x4’s and a small chunk of 3/4" plywood
you can make a nice little dolly to run it out the side. Fairly easy to get
out by yourself that way. But if you have a couple drinking buddies over you
can lower it with a floor jack and have them steady it for you while you
jockey it out the wheel well.( remember to place beer’s in a safe place to
avoid spillage.

Dan

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11

In reply to a message from Robison John (AdW/EOP1) sent Fri 10 Dec 2004:

On the relative ease of lifting the rear cage, once out:

This thing is really heavy. Of course, if you’re young and
strapping, and have another friend of similar age and build, you
might be able to do this and not make a visit to your neighborhood
chiropractor. I would not advise planning to lift this with two
persons, at least lift and move it very far, unless you are of
olympian weightlifter build.

I am 45, in excellent health and my son is 19, and is as fit as any
young man at that age. We struggled to lift this, when re-
orienting it on the ‘industrial dolly’ I built to remove the cage
with. I think I would want another, and possibly two, persons in
on this job (e.g., two on each end), or, use an engine lift or
chain fall, or whatever.

After all, you don’t want to be put on muscle relaxers when you’ve
got the cage out.–
The original message included these comments:

really lift and carry it, two people should be able to handle it. Your
weight estimate sounds reasonable. It’s heavier than the transmission,

–
Mike, 1990 5.3 XJS Convertible, ‘Caterwaul’
Lakewood, OH, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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12

Or, someone pointed out that a motorcycle lift, about $60-$70
at Costco, works well.

Ed Sowell
76 XJ-S
http://www.efsowell.us/ed/myJag.html

If you

have four
casters and a couple of 18 inch long 2x4’s and a small chunk of
3/4" plywood
you can make a nice little dolly to run it out the side. Fairly
easy to get
out by yourself that way. But if you have a couple drinking
buddies over you
can lower it with a floor jack and have them steady it for you while you
jockey it out the wheel well.( remember to place beer’s in a safe
place to
avoid spillage.

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