[Superliminal]

Banana arms likely cause as you say, wonder if they've been done before, or original at that mileage?

Jim

Just gone through the "history" again.
Despite banana arms being called out as advisory from 2016 (@92k miles) I've got no evidence of them being replaced. There is however a comment at each subsequent service that refers back to that advisory. Looks like someone really didn't want to get them changed. It reads like madness - several references to investigating brake wobble and split bushes, but nobody put 2+2 together!

History runs out out in 2020 @115k so it's possible they've been done since, but I doubt it. Fingers crossed they're knackered because that's an easy-ish fix.

 

[JimC64]

Just gone through the "history" again.
Despite banana arms being called out as advisory from 2016 (@92k miles) I've got no evidence of them being replaced. There is however a comment at each subsequent service that refers back to that advisory. Looks like someone really didn't want to get them changed. It reads like madness - several references to investigating brake wobble and split bushes, but nobody put 2+2 together!

History runs out out in 2020 @115k so it's possible they've been done since, but I doubt it. Fingers crossed they're knackered because that's an easy-ish fix.

Probably is what it is, craziness as you say as well.

The good news is that they're lasting that long, on my XJ X358 they were replaced at around 65k miles and again at 100k thereabouts

As I'm heading towards 80k in the next wee while and on from there, it's something that 'll be in my future, no doubt.

Unsure what the costs are, the whole banana arm from Jag was crazy expensive for the X358 at around £450 iirc and so I had mine re bushed at the JagSpecialist in Doncaster for a lot less.

Jim

 

[TheBoy]

Are the banana arms you refer to the lower front forward wishbone arms.?

If so, I rebushed mine at around 110k. In my case I used polys, so I never have to touch them again. As always, the old once took some pressing, but unusually, the polys were an absolute nightmare to fit, as they weren't a split poly, but 1 piece ones.

I did note at the time, reading TOPix, JLR say they can only be rebushed once, and then you have to replace the arms. Unclear why, probably the stresses of pushing bushes in and out.

 

[Superliminal]

Are the banana arms you refer to the lower front forward wishbone arms.?

If so, I rebushed mine at around 110k. In my case I used polys, so I never have to touch them again. As always, the old once took some pressing, but unusually, the polys were an absolute nightmare to fit, as they weren't a split poly, but 1 piece ones.

I did note at the time, reading TOPix, JLR say they can only be rebushed once, and then you have to replace the arms. Unclear why, probably the stresses of pushing bushes in and out.

Yes, I do mean the forward lower arms. Good to know someone has experience of them.

I've seen the power flex video on installing them. They're the first poly bushes I've seen that need a press to fit!

Did you do anything with the smaller outer ones or just changed the big inner bushes?

 

[#steve]

I've had my banana arms replaced and only the large Bush was shot.

 

[mac_doctor]

I've had my banana arms replaced and only the large Bush was shot.

I wish I knew.

 

[#steve]

I wish I knew.

Nothing for you to worry about.

 

[Superliminal]

I've had my banana arms replaced and only the large Bush was shot.

Cheers dude, that's encouraging.

 

[TonyXJR]

In other news, the big list o'stuff to do continues to grow. Amongst many other minor issues, it's got an annoying wobble when braking at speed. Pedal seems OK but you can see it in the steering wheel. It was mentioned as something to check in one of the previous owner's invoices. It's got brand new discs up front that I reckon were an attempt at a fix. Clearly it didn't work.

The next culprit is bushes. My money is on the banana arm bushes as these seem to be the most common point of failure. I'm tempted to go powerflex on them, but looks like only the large inner bush is available. Do the smaller, outer bushes fail regularly too? Hopefully I'll get a wheel off at the weekend and investigate.

I'd be interested in how you get on with this.

My car has a similar wobble under braking from speed. Absolutely fine at lower speeds, but noticeable at motorway speeds. Perhaps not as bad, as you can only feel the shimmer - no visible wobbling of the steering wheel. I think it might be getting worse, but it could be that I'm just noticing it more (I'm doing more motorway driving atm).

The previous owner had mentioned it and had spent about £4k at a specialist getting the suspension overhauled. It's got new (all genuine Jaguar) discs and pads, new hubs (just on the tolerance limit), new banana arms and various minor linkages.

It's still there & I'm suspecting that it maybe a weird wear pattern on the front tyres (they were on for a couple of years before the work was done) or perhaps the front wheels are slightly misshapen?

The wheels need a refurb and I'll probably get new front tyres put on at the same time, so I'm hoping this may pick something up.

 

[#steve]

With the amount of work that you have had done, it might be worth checking out the subframe bushes.

 

[TonyXJR]

With the amount of work that you have had done, it might be worth checking out the subframe bushes.

Thanks. I shall investigate, though looks like quite a job and probably cheaper to change the car!

 

[Superliminal]

Well, an interesting day exploring the XJ.

First up, jacking the bugger up. I've seen the official jacking point info, and as I've seen on various forum threads, the jacking and axle stand points are too close together so you can get a stand in place because the jack is in the way. Has anyone got an alternative place for axle stands at the front? I had to rely on trolley jack alone, with a wheel under the sill, and making sure I didn't go underneath! If I can't figure that out, then it's going to be tricky to work on it.

I noticed the undertrays are a bit damaged and numerous structural zip ties are in place.

Anyway, I'm guessing you shouldn't be able to move the banana arms much by hand. These are properly loose and move far too easily. All the other bushes had only minor deflection from a large screwdriver, so these are definitely the problem. Time to get some powerflex ordered.

Next up was the dechroming of the mirrors. I got the new mirror prepped and got a couple of coats of paint on. While I waited for it to dry I popped the chrome cap off the other and cleaned up the sticky pad residue. That's when I realised the mirrors were different shapes. Like the idiot I am, I didn't think to check first, instead trusting the ebay listing. To be fair, they're quite similar but different enough that they just won't fit. I reckon it came from an F Type. I've ordered another and this one looks OK! Too late to return the other, so will chuck it back on ebay.

I then popped the bonnet. I was told it was recently serviced but the state of the air filter told me otherwise. It was at that point that I spotted another problem. The Y pipe from the air box to the MAFs isn't actually attached to the air box. The end of the pipe has broken loose. There's a bit still screwed to the air box but it's come away at what looks like a seam about a centimetre up the pipe. Looks like it's been bodged with sealant in the past. That means there's a small gap letting unfiltered air in. Not ideal, and needs a repair ASAP. I've ordered some plastic weld epoxy so hopefully that'll sort it. It's all PA6 nylon so not a lot sticks to it.

Will get a full service done on it as soon as I can.

The more I look, the more it's clear that it's not been well looked after! Slightly concerning, but it's kind of expected when buying right near the bottom of the market. I'm still reasonably upbeat about it all though and I'll get most of it fixed in time. Hopefully it won't bankrupt me in the process.

 

[JimC64]

Well, an interesting day exploring the XJ.

First up, jacking the bugger up. I've seen the official jacking point info, and as I've seen on various forum threads, the jacking and axle stand points are too close together so you can get a stand in place because the jack is in the way. Has anyone got an alternative place for axle stands at the front? I had to rely on trolley jack alone, with a wheel under the sill, and making sure I didn't go underneath! If I can't figure that out, then it's going to be tricky to work on it.

I noticed the undertrays are a bit damaged and numerous structural zip ties are in place.

Anyway, I'm guessing you shouldn't be able to move the banana arms much by hand. These are properly loose and move far too easily. All the other bushes had only minor deflection from a large screwdriver, so these are definitely the problem. Time to get some powerflex ordered.

Next up was the dechroming of the mirrors. I got the new mirror prepped and got a couple of coats of paint on. While I waited for it to dry I popped the chrome cap off the other and cleaned up the sticky pad residue. That's when I realised the mirrors were different shapes. Like the idiot I am, I didn't think to check first, instead trusting the ebay listing. To be fair, they're quite similar but different enough that they just won't fit. I reckon it came from an F Type. I've ordered another and this one looks OK! Too late to return the other, so will chuck it back on ebay.

I then popped the bonnet. I was told it was recently serviced but the state of the air filter told me otherwise. It was at that point that I spotted another problem. The Y pipe from the air box to the MAFs isn't actually attached to the air box. The end of the pipe has broken loose. There's a bit still screwed to the air box but it's come away at what looks like a seam about a centimetre up the pipe. Looks like it's been bodged with sealant in the past. That means there's a small gap letting unfiltered air in. Not ideal, and needs a repair ASAP. I've ordered some plastic weld epoxy so hopefully that'll sort it. It's all PA6 nylon so not a lot sticks to it.

Will get a full service done on it as soon as I can.

The more I look, the more it's clear that it's not been well looked after! Slightly concerning, but it's kind of expected when buying right near the bottom of the market. I'm still reasonably upbeat about it all though and I'll get most of it fixed in time. Hopefully it won't bankrupt me in the process.

Hey Matt, sounds like some progress and info on the current situation, where you are and what you need to do moving forward, that's something....

At 115k and with the banana arms being able to be moved by hand, you're going to see a noticeable difference right there, when they're done.

Bummer about the mirror being the wrong one, but easily done I suppose

The engine bay and service status, not a lot different from others unfortunately. So many have the book "stamped" or advised a service has been carried out, only to find horrible filters that have never been touched since time began.
Getting them done, along with oil / filter change, possibly looking at fuel filter and other fluids etc is the way to go, assuming you're in her for the long term..........Its the only way to know for sure, exactly where you're at.

Onwards n upwards Matt

Jim

 

[#steve]

My car came with a full Jaguar service history and i dont think the air filters had ever been changed.

 

[Superliminal]

Cheers gents.

I know that sounded slightly miserable above, but weirdly I don't mind being at this point. From this point, assuming it doesn't completely fall to bits, I'll be able to see a continuous set of improvements and that's always good.

 

[Superliminal]

Any thoughts on the jacking points? If there's an alternative axle stand point that people use, I'd be very interested to hear about it.

 

[OBC John]

Is this the jacking point diagram you're using . . . . ?

 

[Superliminal]

Is this the jacking point diagram you're using . . . . ?
View attachment 62726

Yeah that's the one. I'm certainly willing to admit that I could be wrong, but if I jack it up on the pinch weld then the trolley jack is in the way of the axle stand.

 

[#steve]

I just put the axle stand under the front subframe.

 

[OBC John]

I think you'd be OK with the front ones just as long as you didn't go too far in with the jack pad. But you'd have to run the trolley jack in from the back to get the stands in the rear positions shown.
I think if I was going to lift the back, I'd consider using a load spreader across that cross-member (a decent piece of timber) and raise it up from the middle rather than twisting the sub-frame by doing it one side at a time.
I don't think that's an option for the front though.