Getting my alignment correct .. jag xjr

[owas]

Working through some bits on my x308 jag, one being the alignment.
In order to get the left rear camber correct, shimms have to be placed between the halfshaft. (I need to see if someone has forgot to put back the factory shim first)

It is around 0.5mm for every 0.2 degrees, what size shim would i need to get it back in spec?

 

[130]

2.5 get a degree so near the same as other side then but other side is not perfect

 

[8ob]

You need the car to be on a level flat pad with the suspension at the correct ride height, then measure and assess. Thats how the older XJ`s were done.

Bob

 

[mr haynes]

Make sure no wear/play first

 

[owas]

Make sure no wear/play first

Had a look on ramps with a mechanic who couldnt find any noticeable play in anything other than the lower rear shock bushes look abit past it.

Im polybushing the lot though.

With both mesurments being what they are, i get the feeling the factory shimms havnt been put back in after some work, usualy 4mm.
Ill get under it today and see if i can see any without removing the halfshaft.

 

[rtcosic]

Im polybushing the lot though.

I have had VERY poor experience with Polybushes in suspension components on other vehicles and would always recommend OEM bushes, especially on an heavy old bus like the X308.

I might consider Polybushes on 'non critical' light duty services such as anti-roll bar bushes, or readily accessible services such as damper bushes but only if OEM ones were NLA. I would accept that their life would be much less than OEM quality items.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

With such a heavy and high performance car I'd seriously consider having a professional check the alignment on their specialist equipment as they wil be able to do a far more acurate assessment than you will be able to do at home with a tape measure.

 

[bricol]

100,000 miles on my purple polybushes fitted . . .lot longer life than OEM rubber. Supposedly noisier, but I didn't notice any increase.

 

[owas]

I have had VERY poor experience with Polybushes in suspension components on other vehicles and would always recommend OEM bushes, especially on an heavy old bus like the X308.

I might consider Polybushes on 'non critical' light duty services such as anti-roll bar bushes, or readily accessible services such as damper bushes but only if OEM ones were NLA. I would accept that their life would be much less than OEM quality items.

Ill give them a go now i already have them, can always go back to OEM.
Theyre the powerflex ones which seem to get good reviews.

With such a heavy and high performance car I'd seriously consider having a professional check the alignment on their specialist equipment as they wil be able to do a far more acurate assessment than you will be able to do at home with a tape measure.

The readings above were done by a specialist but they couldnt do the camber as you need the shimms, about 35 quid a shim from jaguar!

 

[rtcosic]

100,000 miles on my purple polybushes fitted . . .lot longer life than OEM rubber. Supposedly noisier, but I didn't notice any increase.

On the rear suspension of an X308?

Really?

I'm stunned.

 

[owas]

Just been under and both factory shimms are still there and i couldnt find any play in anything ..
What reasons could the alignment be out?

Im going to have it rechecked with the new bushes,then order the shimms required.

It does handle fine, just pulls to the left.

 

[Ton-up]

Did you have the weight off? Jack up on body. Then look for play in anything from the 'short halfshaft' bearings in the diff, both uj's, or the pair of wheel bearings in hub. Also the bearings/bushes/bolts in the in the bottom arms.

Could also be a lazy mechanic hasn't reshimmed the discs after changing them!!

 

[tlovatt]

Just been under and both factory shimms are still there and i couldnt find any play in anything ..
What reasons could the alignment be out?

I would not discount the possibility it left the factory a bit out, the quality at that time was some way form what it was a few years later.

 

[Kayos]

Just been under and both factory shimms are still there and i couldnt find any play in anything ..
What reasons could the alignment be out?

Im going to have it rechecked with the new bushes,then order the shimms required.

It does handle fine, just pulls to the left.

I once exited a roundabout a bit too briskly, spun the car and whacked both drivers side wheels on the kerb

Took it for alignment and it all looked good but it was out, couldn’t get it within spec

I’d bent one of the rear arms, only noticed when compared to the new one

 

[Bladevane]

Im polybushing the lot though.

I put Polybushes on my XJ. It was a disaster. They were so creaky I took them off and got my money back. The OEM bushes have the inner and outer steel tubes bonded onto the rubber so the rubber is the resilient material and there is no movement between the tubes or the housing/bolt. Polybushes work differently. They rely on friction between the bush and steel, hence the creaking I experienced. I know some folks swear blind on polybushes - I'm not one of them.

 

[Bladevane]

By the way - do you want a Mongoose and data discs?

 

[owas]

I once exited a roundabout a bit too briskly, spun the car and whacked both drivers side wheels on the kerb

Took it for alignment and it all looked good but it was out, couldn’t get it within spec

I’d bent one of the rear arms, only noticed when compared to the new one

I almost did this last week when i rained for the first time in a while in this heat, roads were terrible.. managed to get it under control though!

I hope its not this.

I put Polybushes on my XJ. It was a disaster. They were so creaky I took them off and got my money back. The OEM bushes have the inner and outer steel tubes bonded onto the rubber so the rubber is the resilient material and there is no movement between the tubes or the housing/bolt. Polybushes work differently. They rely on friction between the bush and steel, hence the creaking I experienced. I know some folks swear blind on polybushes - I'm not one of them.

Im not too sure about them now, but ill still give them a go.
I prefered the 'feel' when i pulled the fuse for the CATs suspension out to stick the shocks into their firm setting.
I was hoping the polybushes would feel simmilar without the harshness.

No use for the mongoose, i have no laptop

 

[indy4x]

There are poly bushes and poly bushes, lots of tat out there, have used no name stuff and it was horrible, didn't last then replaced with SuperPro and what a difference they made, no creaking and put up with some serious mileage and abuse off road

 

[normspanners]

my view is especially with laser equipment it is ONLY as good as the, man sorry person doing it, we sent a couple of cars that were destined for goodwood festival of speed coz we were flat out to do it ourselves, the first came back I walked round it and just looked at it and sent it back I said it was miles out, their response was oh sorry the guy put the wrong settings in the computer !!! fitting the units to the wheels takes time the slightest degree out and it throws everything.
NOW had joe bloggs had it done, they would probably be happy !! stand and have a look yourself, you cant beat setting up a rectangle of fishing lines around a car and measuring in from them, the old way. THEN you know its right.

 

[owas]

my view is especially with laser equipment it is ONLY as good as the, man sorry person doing it, we sent a couple of cars that were destined for goodwood festival of speed coz we were flat out to do it ourselves, the first came back I walked round it and just looked at it and sent it back I said it was miles out, their response was oh sorry the guy put the wrong settings in the computer !!! fitting the units to the wheels takes time the slightest degree out and it throws everything.
NOW had joe bloggs had it done, they would probably be happy !! stand and have a look yourself, you cant beat setting up a rectangle of fishing lines around a car and measuring in from them, the old way. THEN you know its right.

I dont doubt the results tbh, alignment is the only thing they do, it deffintly pulls to the left too. Am i right in thinking thats because its sort of rear wheel steering the car left with that much negative camber?

His advice was if its not bearable, get it shimmed.