SUSPENSION CHECKS

23 WIGGLE THE WHEELS

Wiggle each raised road wheel at the top and bottom and from side to side to check for play in the wheel bearings and upper wishbone bushes. Do the same to each front road wheel from left to right to check the track rod ends. Hold each rear wheel at ten-past-seven and ten-to-four and wiggle it to check the frontmost and rearmost suspension arms.

24 BANANA ARM

Use a pry bar to check for excessive play in the front bush for the front lower wishbone (also known as the banana arm due to its shape). Wear is common on this arm’s large suspension bush, which can be renewed two or three times. A new bush is around £30, although new arms only cost around £85.

25 STRUT BUSHES

Use a pry bar to inspect the condition of the front strut’s lower mounting bush. Excessive play in this bush can result in a squeak from the front end. The same bush can be tested on the rear struts and wear is a common problem, resulting in a hollow rattle when driving the vehicle. New bushes cost £15-£30 each.

26 REAR WISHBONE ARMS

At the rear, use a pry bar to check the bushes for each lower and upper wishbone. The lower arm’s rearmost bush has a spherical bearing, which is known to wear and squeak. The other bushes are rubber and can also wear. New upper wishbones cost around £95 each and lower arms are priced at £120 or more.

27 TEST DROPLINKS

There are anti-roll bars at the front and rear of the XF, so inspect the balljoints of the droplinks by wiggling each one. Worn droplinks can result in a knocking noise when driving the XF. Also, wiggle the anti-roll bars to ensure their mounting bushes are not worn.