Riding smoothly in the executive luxury car class, the Jaguar XF was released to nearly universal acclaim during the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Two years later, in 2009, Jaguar introduced the XF Supercharged and the XFR, both of which included a new 5.0-litre supercharged engine and updated computer technology. There are reports that some XF Supercharged and XFRs experience rear-end whining differential problems.
When your car begins to make a whining noise, you know there’s a problem. Most owners who experience this particular problem find that it occurs after 50,000 miles, and when they’re driving anywhere between 10 and 70 MPH. The whining starts, and then, more alarmingly, the car begins to shake or shudder. Unfortunately, this combination of symptoms most likely points to a damaged rear-end differential.
Differentials are the final link in the chain that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. They enable each wheel to spin with the energy supplied from the car, but they are also so constructed as to allow the wheels to all spin at different speeds (particularly helpful on tight turns and if you happen to hydroplane). Over time, the seal around the differential may begin to wear down, allowing the differential oil to leak out. Once this happens, the gears begin to grind one another down, which will ultimately result in them failing completely.
To prevent this from happening, we highly recommend that you take your XFR or XF Supercharged to a nearby British auto repair technician. They can, first, verify that you are indeed dealing with a damaged differential, and then they can repair it for you—and at a significantly reduced price than you would hear from a dealership. Taking your car to a professional can add years of enjoyment to your ride, and it can take away an immeasurable amount of stress.
Search for a local, independent Jaguar repair shop with Jaguar mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.