QuestionQUESTION: Hi Howard.
I have a 1970 Series Two Jaguar E type Roadster. I am getting a clunking noise from around the rear of the gearbox when accelerating. I suspect it is the front UJ. Jaguar say the engine must come out to replace the UJ. However, I saw in a previous answer which you gave, that the gearbox can be removed without taking out the engine. Does it follow therefore, that I can remove the front UJ without engine removal?
I beleive there is an inspection hole under the centre console where you can inspect the UJ. Can this be used to open the UJ bolts to remove the UJ?
ANSWER: Hi Walter,
Yes, it is possible to remove the gearbox on an E-Type without removing the engine out of the car but not on a GT model due to a welded in cross member. It normally paid us 16 hours to install a clutch and by my method of just removing the gearbox it is possible to do it in 6 hours. However, you are trying to remove the drive shaft and it is probably faster and easier to remove the rear sub-frame. I don't believe you can remove it through the grease fitting access hole.
When a "U" joint is going bad most of the time they will make a vibration under acceleration and it will be a fine vibration felt in the seat and body of the car. The vibration will be at a faster rate (finer) then a out of balance rear wheel. Flange bolts could be loose too.
If you choose to remove the gearbox, let me know and I will go over the procedure.
Howard
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QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt reply Howard.
Is it true to say, that the front flange bolts on the U joint can be opened from underneath the car, and also, is it the case that the reason the sub frame has to be taken down is to allow the drive shaft to be pulled back and out?
AnswerYes on all points as I remember. The last E-Type I pulled a transmission on and I did several in the dealership, was in 1967 so my memory of all the work is fading but I am sure it is because even when you remove the bolts, the shaft will not come out, so either the trans or the rear end has to come out. (a minor detail Jag didn't think about. ha!) It would have been easy for them to make a provision to remove and replace the shaft without taking anything apart if they did so.
Car manufactures NEVER and still DON'T worry about the mechanic who has to work on their cars after they are out on the road. This includes ALL car manufactures.
I have pulled a lot of rear ends from the E-Type and the other Jags (They are all about the same) and I think it is much faster and easier to remove the rear sub-frame then even my short cut with the trans. Without a transmission jack it is a two man job but not hard to do. The exhaust pipe work is longer then pulling the sub-frame.
I have ser. III XJ-6 I am getting ready to pull the sub frame down now in my shop to do some work on. Every Jag with the IRS up to the series III XJ-6, the XJ-S and the E-Types were about the same.
Howard
