Jaguar suspension questions

[767Jockey]

I’m about to tear into the suspension of my early CCX car. It has Jag torsion bar suspension in the front, and Jag IRS in the rear. If any of you out there know the answer to the following questions, I’d sure appreciate it:

FRONT SUSPENSION:
1- I need to adjust the front ride height lower, about 1 to 1 ½ inch. To do this I believe I have to rotate the torsion bar. Has anyone done this and know how many splines worth of adjustment I should start with? I know it’ll be trial and error, but what’s a good starting target? Have any of you ever done this?

2-When I jack up the car by the frame and the front wheel is hanging free, is all the tension released from the torsion bar at that point? If not, how do I release that remaining tension so that it doesn’t spring and pop when I remove the bolts at the rear of the torsion bar that secure it?

3-I want to replace the ball joints, tie rod ends and all bushings while I’m in there. I can’t just walk into an auto parts store and say give me parts for a Jaguar. I’ll have to give them a make and model. Does anyone know what year and model Jaguar this stuff came from? This is probably the key question I have in this whole thing.

4-Does anyone know of a good, reasonably priced service manual that covers this suspension system?

5- Is there an online pasts house that has good availability and prices on Jag parts that any of you have used?

6- What is the steering box from? Is it from the same year and model Jag as the rest of the parts? Are they available rebuilt from anyone you have used?

REAR SUSPENSION:

1-I need to remove the coilovers to get everything cleaned up back there. It looks like there’s Koni shocks inside. The coilovers look very straightforward to get out. My question is, just like with the front torsion bars, are the coilovers fully unloaded and without tension when the car is jacked up by the frame with the wheel hanging? If not how do I release that tension so I can remove them?

2-The removal of the coilover is more for cosmetics that repair. Does anyone know what paint I can use on the springs that won’t crack when the springs compress and expand? Is there another preferable method for applying a finish to the springs? Were they originally painted, plated, anodized,? Is there an easy way to mark where the adjustments are currently on the springs to maintain the ride height I have now, or do they just go on one way without the capability to adjust them?

I know there’s lots of questions I’m asking, guys, but I’m sort of on my own out here, and I really do appreciate your help. Thanks.
Doug

[Seaman]

For the torsion bars:
1. There is no residual torsion when lifted.
2. Remove shock and sway bar if equipped.
3. Make a gage bar to fit between the two shock mounting holes. This will be your ride height gage.
4. Drill an additional hole about 1 inch shorter than the above 2. This will be your new ride height. You might have to experiment to get the final height you need.
5. remove rear bracket from torsion bar
6. install ride height gage in shock mount and see if rear bracket mounting holes line up.
7. Yes, you're done. No, rotate torsion bar in lower control arm until rear bracket lines up. Note- there are different number of splines front and rear, by rotating you will get the bracket to line up.

Ball joints - XKE series 1 or 1.5 should do.
Steering rack - same but the ends have been lengthened

Dave

[cobrarkc]

I am not sure why you need to lower the ride height but here is some information you can use. First there is little or no tension on the torsion bars or coil overs with the suspension is hanging. As for the front height Contemporary suggested you made a jig out of flat stock 18"x1 1/2"x 1/8" with 1/2" holes either 16 3/4" O.C. for a small block or 16 1/4" for a big block, install this where the shock mounts and bolt in the torsion bar bracket that should give you the correct ride height. For sources on Jag xke suspensions you can check www.jcna.com , www.jaguarspecialties.com , www.jag-lovers.org , and www.browneslane.com On these sites there are suspension mods diagrams and other helpful tips also forums that may be helpful. If I remember anything else I will list it. Hope this helps. You should also get in touch with Jeff at jeffg@lentexcorp.com who is organizing a Contemporary owners registry

[Shelboss]

I recently scanned the Contemporary Cobra manual and sent it to Jeff for distribution to the club, it's free and has been a great source of information, like this site!

[767Jockey]

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be pulling the entre front suspension, bead blasting everything, and replacing all the ball joints, rod ends, and bushings. I did get the manual from Jeff, it's a huge help. Have any of you guys put in polyurethane bushings and steering rack mounts? I don't know if I should use rubber or poly. Anyone have any experience with either? Good or bad? Any tricks, difficulties or gotchas on pulling and reassembling the front suspension I should know about? Thanks.