Am I biting off to much?

[cadfaeltex]

Ok, Saturday I plan to pull the XJS into the bay and begin the service I've been planning. Here's what's on the Menu:

1. Oil Change
2. Replace the Cam Cover gaskets (including spark plug rings and half moons).
3. Replace the power steering pump.
4. Bleed the brake system
5. Swap all the bushings on the rear suspension that are perished (ie all of them).
6. Radiator drain and refill.

I've about decided to wait till the next oil change (Octoberish) to do the ATF and rear diff fluids. I've got new hoses and belts that I can put on sometime soon too.

So for a fairly new wrench turner, does it sound like I need to split this out over more days?

 

[wander2039]

Only work on it 3-4 hours or a hour break or so between tasks. Your more likely to make mistakes or forget things the further you go.

 

[javacontour]

What time are you getting up on Saturday and what beverages do you have planned. That and your experience have a lot more to do with accomplishing your goals than what they are.

Certainly 1,4 and 6 are doable. Perhaps 2 as well. If all that goes well, move on 5 then 3?

I'm thinking 5 will be the hardest as you will likely fight with rust and corrosion. So liberally soaking the fasteners prior to any service would be a good first step.

If you are a novice, will you have anyone around with you to help, to be there if you drop the car, etc? Some of these I'd not want to do alone, such as having the car on jacks if you've not done this much before.

It's probably not a good idea to be alone even if you are experienced as bad luck can strike anyone, experienced or not.

 

[vintageant]

Spray all the fasteners, nuts and bolts for minimum 2 consecutive days with Liquidwrench, PB Blaster, etc. to make life easier and avoid breaking a bolt. That can set you back most of the day!

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with javacontour, jobs 1,4 and 6 can be done in 1 hour then go to job 2 ...

 

[2oldtommy]

Replacing bushings on the rear suspension is not for the amateur IMO. If you have never worked on decompressing a spring, don't try it. A 4 wheel alignment is a must after installing new bushing in order to complete the job. How many miles on your XJS? Has someone diagnosed the problem as loose bushings? Could it be that a 4 wheel alignment would cure the problem? I, for one, believe you are biting off a little too much. FWIW-Oldtommy

 

[hounddog]

Sounds like more then full days work for sure if all goes smooth. Whats involved in those rear bushings? I'd do the rear diff.service if I already had it jacked up and back there.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
Replacing bushings on the rear suspension is not for the amateur IMO. If you have never worked on decompressing a spring, don't try it. A 4 wheel alignment is a must after installing new bushing in order to complete the job. How many miles on your XJS? Has someone diagnosed the problem as loose bushings? Could it be that a 4 wheel alignment would cure the problem? I, for one, believe you are biting off a little too much. FWIW-Oldtommy


With the XJS rear suspension design the coil over springs down have to be tinkered with to get to the bushings. There's two on the radius arms and two v'shaped ones supporting the subframe. I've been told it's matter of supporting the car on subframes and then simple wrench and replace on the bushes.

 

[eljefino]

I'd start with 5 then go on to 2&3. Save the fluid changes for the end.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
Replacing bushings on the rear suspension is not for the amateur IMO. If you have never worked on decompressing a spring, don't try it. A 4 wheel alignment is a must after installing new bushing in order to complete the job. How many miles on your XJS? Has someone diagnosed the problem as loose bushings? Could it be that a 4 wheel alignment would cure the problem? I, for one, believe you are biting off a little too much. FWIW-Oldtommy


With the XJS rear suspension design the coil over springs down have to be tinkered with to get to the bushings. There's two on the radius arms and two v'shaped ones supporting the subframe. I've been told it's matter of supporting the car on subframes and then simple wrench and replace on the bushes.


When I'm told something is simple, it usually doesn't turn out that way. Good luck, let us know how things go for you

 

[TomYoung]

I like that you have started a list, but strongly suggest splitting this over two or three days, and really thinking long and hard about what you are trying to accomplish on the rear suspension.

If the rear suspension needs this work, it probably needs struts/shocks also.

If that is the case, do the fronts too.

Good luck.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: TomYoung
I like that you have started a list, but strongly suggest splitting this over two or three days, and really thinking long and hard about what you are trying to accomplish on the rear suspension.

If the rear suspension needs this work, it probably needs struts/shocks also.

If that is the case, do the fronts too.

Good luck.


Was going over it with the tech at the tire place and he pointed out the bushes. The shocks pass the bounce test and look good and the tech said the springs looked 'newish'. The front looks like it was done not too long ago.

I was thinking it would be good to do the oil change in conjunction with the cam cover gaskets - necessary , good, confused?

The rear suspension is the part I'm most concerned about tackling myself. If I get the bushes in the mail before the tires get in at the NTB then I may have them quote installing them for me. Right now it looks as though someone quit after doing the fronts and about half the job in the back. The rear is riding high right now so I'd have to say they didn't do a good job at it.

The power steering I'm not too concerned about. It has a slight leak but seems ok.

Throw this in too, the tech said that the wheel bearings were all just starting to show some play. Haven't had time to check out what all is involved in replacing/fixing them. Is that a basic DIY swap or something I should have done?

Thanks for all the responses so far.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
[Throw this in too, the tech said that the wheel bearings were all just starting to show some play. Haven't had time to check out what all is involved in replacing/fixing them. Is that a basic DIY swap or something I should have done?



Does this thing have adjustable taper roller wheel bearings?
Based upon its age and its origin, I'm thinking that it might, in which case the wheel bearings probably just need a clean, regrease and adjustment.
As for the rest, spread this out over a few Saturdays.
When you touch the rear end bushings, do so only after a look at a Jag enthusiast website, and only with great care.
Take your time, and don't schedule too many tasks on a day.
I only schedule myself as you propose to do with cars I know really well.
The Jag is new to you.
Give yourself enough time to complete each task without time pressure.
Give yourself enough time to resolve the inevitable stumbling points, without the need to feel either rushed or frustrated.
Think of the car as a rolling project (it is).

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: vintageant
Spray all the fasteners, nuts and bolts for minimum 2 consecutive days with Liquidwrench, PB Blaster, etc. to make life easier and avoid breaking a bolt. That can set you back most of the day!


+1 !

I've had many projects that went from [censored] near impossible to incredibly easy. The difference was penetrant and time.

 

[artificialist]

I once saw a mechanic for 30 years struggle with an old fashioned jag rear suspension. He was great at practically everything involved in other suspensions. I can't recommend the rear suspension bushing replacement for you.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I once saw a mechanic for 30 years struggle with an old fashioned jag rear suspension.


He struggled with it for 30 years? Wow

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: artificialist
I once saw a mechanic for 30 years struggle with an old fashioned jag rear suspension.


He struggled with it for 30 years? Wow

Sorry.

What I meant to say was that the man had 30 years of experience being a mechanic, but when he had to fix a jag rear suspension for the first time, it was extremely difficult for him.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: artificialist
I once saw a mechanic for 30 years struggle with an old fashioned jag rear suspension.


He struggled with it for 30 years? Wow

Sorry.

What I meant to say was that the man had 30 years of experience being a mechanic, but when he had to fix a jag rear suspension for the first time, it was extremely difficult for him.


No need to apologize, I was just razzing ya

 

[scott37300]

I've learned not to schedual a day of maintenance. I just make a list like you did and then start with one thing and work my way down the list. What I get done in one day I get done and there is always tomorrow for what doesn't get done. Almost everytime I try to fit a bunch of things into one day I end up rushing and then something goes wrong like a broken bolt and then the whole schedual is off. Just do what you can each day, take your time and enjoy the work.

 

[vintageant]

Cadfaeltex - Saturday is here!

Let us know how you got on!