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My 1999 XK8 convertible makes a very annoying loud snapping/popping sound when the body is in torsion, slightly twisting over uneven terrain. It sounds like heavy plastic against metal or metal against metal near the centerline of the car at the bottom of the windshield/top of the dash. One mech said he hear of failed weld joints in Jags causing noise. How do you go about isolating the source of the noise?
Country: United StatesMake: JaguarModel: XK8Year: 1999 Already Tried: Tightening as many fittings around the bottom of the windshield frame (both inside and out) as possible.
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There are support braces in the engine compartment going from the strut tower to the front center bulkhead under the wiper cowl. Sometimes the mounting bolts loosen up causing this type of noise. I would check this first. Another possibility is a strut or upper control arm making noise and the noise is now traveling through the body to those support braces.
That sounds like it is possible. Do I have to remove the wipers and wiper tray to get to the firewall end of the support strut? Also, can I disconnect the support strut and drive the car to check for noise without doing damage?
Yes the wiper arms and cowl cover need to be removed to get to those bolts. You can remove the braces and see if the noise does go away. These are basically braces for support while turning so you should be ok driving a short distance to verify if the noises are no longer present.
Richard - You are, without a doubt, the best Jag Mech on the planet. I have been putting up with that disgusting noise for years. I tightened that suport strut on the drivers side at the shock end and THE NOISE IS GONE!
Thats great news. Let me know if you need anything else. To end this question you need to rate my answers. Hopefully you can rate it as a great service so I get credit for my work.
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Experience: 12 years at a Jaguar dealer as technician and shop foreman.