XJ front suspension

[Jeremy Good <jeremy@Linux.dc.usconnect.com>]

Hi all-

  I finally dove into my first "real" project on my recently purchased 
XJ12C. The front suspension... So far it's been easy and enjoyable, 
except for the all of the cursing required to remove some very stubborn 
bolts :-) But, of course, I have some questions.

  The right side had been "clunking" since I bought the car, and the shop 
that did the pre-purchase said I needed a lower ball-joint and some 
bushings. I took a peek at both sides and decided to get the whole front 
suspension "kit" from Xks Unlimited. Now that I've dissasembled the whole 
thing I'm glad I did. All of the boots on the ball joints were split (the 
lowers being caked with road grime). Only the sway-bar bushings look 
passable. The bushings for the shocks are split (didn't buy those yet). 
I have new lower A-arm bushings, but am wondering how much work is 
involved in changing them. Also, are there any tricks to changing the 
bushings on the shocks? I have never done any suspension work before, and 
am not familiar with the differences in specialty tools (I remember 
reading some discussion on types of spring compressors on this list  
recently). With both stub axle carriers out of the car, I'm ready to 
install the new lower ball joints. The factory service manual is 
particularly dissapointing here... Any hints on installing the new cups 
(races?) and properly adjusting the joints?

Thanks once again -- this group has been an invaluable resource.

Jeremy
'76 Jaguar XJ12C
'88 Nissan Maxima SE

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