Stability control

[Max Lloyd]

Does any get the same as me?

My 2002  xj8 executive has a tendency to wobble for want of a better word. At speeds up to 30mph. I get a sideways wobble, the car gently rocks from side to side, when moving up to 30mph. At more speeds the car runs very smoothly. No rocking just the odd bounce over potholes😖. Is this normal? I remember the same used to happen on my mk1 3.4 way back in the late 50's.

[LairdScooby]

It's funny you mention this, my S Type does this too. Thinking it was just the way the suspension is, i ignored it until your post and then started thinking back, firstly to my Series III 4.2 Jag Sovereign (one of the first Jag Sovereigns) followed by my XJ40 3.6 and they both did it.

Then i thought about other cars i've had with IRS and RWD, only ones i can bring to mind instantly are Nissan 300C and a Datsun 240KGT Skyline (3 of those!) and they all did it too - twichy on the back end up to 30-50mph depending on model then above that, settled down and felt supreglued to the road while absorbing bumps and ripples seamlessly. Even my Rover 827 Sterling did similar on the back end and that was FWD but overall handled more like a RWD car.

I would hazard a guess it's a characteristic of RWD with IRS as my Volvo 700 series (all estates) didn't do it, or at least not so obviously, presumably the live axle damped it although sometimes in the last one, a 760GLE V6, if i was giving it the beans it could be a bit twitchy but never lost traction - again it settled down above city speeds.

With that in mind i would still suggest you get the tyres (especially the back ones) checked as sometimes they can distort, saw one once on an Astra that was a distic=nctive S shape! 😮 If all is good and the bushes etc are good then i would say it's a characteristic and adopt it as a means of telling you if you're within certain speed limits.

[Max Lloyd]

Thanks very much for the reply Dave. I can now sleep softly due to the answer you gave.

Now I can get on with the restauration work.

[LairdScooby]

Glad to help Max, good luck with the restoration! 😉 😄

[Max Lloyd]

Thanks Dave. Just minor work to do now. Head lining, seat belt spring, steering wheel alignment.🙂

[LairdScooby]

Glad you reminded me about this subject, since i welded the sills for the MoT, the back end has been tighter on mine - funny thing is none of the suspension mounting points were near where i had to weld!

Good news you're nearly sorted on yours now! 😉 😄