S-Type (1963)

1963-1968 / Sedan / United Kingdom

All S-Type (1963) problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Rear suspension knuckle joint wear

Symptoms

Knocking from the rear on bumps or direction changes, unpredictable handling at the rear.

Cause

The independent rear suspension uses lower wishbones with inner fulcrum shafts and bearings that wear. The design is clever but maintenance-intensive.

Fix

Strip and rebuild the rear suspension.

Replace all bearings, bushes, and seals.

This is best done with the entire rear subframe removed.

Budget $3,000-6,000 AUD for a comprehensive rear suspension rebuild.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $3,000-6,000

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// More S-Type (1963) problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Front wishbone bush wear

Clonking over bumps, vague steering, uneven tyre wear, the car wanders at speed.

Common Suspension and Steering

Steering rack wear

Play in the steering, vague centre feel, clonking when turning, fluid leaks (on power steering cars).

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Structural floor pan corrosion

Floor pans rot through, usually starting from the inside where moisture sits under the carpet and sound deadening. The car loses rigidity, doors stop closing properly, scuttle shake increases, the windscreen cracks.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Sill corrosion (inner and outer)

Sills collapse, doors sag, the car visibly droops in the middle. Outer sills may look fine while the inner sections are completely gone.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Bonnet corrosion and distortion

The enormous forward-hinged bonnet develops rust in its seams, inner structure, and around the headlight openings. It can also distort if the car has been jacked incorrectly or been in a minor shunt.

Common Bodywork and Rust

Boot floor and rear end corrosion

The boot floor rots, the spare wheel well fills with water, and corrosion spreads to the rear inner wings and battery tray area.

View all 24 S-Type (1963) problems