Back-Story:

I recently posted about losing my X-Type leaper at a car wash. The cable securing the leaper had rusted
through and separated.


Fortunately I found all of the original critical parts. More fortunately, no damage was done to the Jag.




************************************************** **********************************************


The Installation:
(Several older threads posted here provided helpful hints.)

Preparation - Trip to the hardware store (in my case, Lowes).

Materials - Three packages of 1/16" aluminum ferrules and stops (If you know what you're doing, one would be enough).
Two feet of 3/32" wire cable (only need about 6" if you get it right the first time)
.
Tools - One pair of pliers and one pair of heavy-duty snips (for crimping of the ferrule and stop)




Step #1: Feed cable through one side of the ferrule, then through the bottom of the leaper and through the other side of
the ferrule. Crimp both sides of the ferrule securely.



Step #2: Feed cable down through the hole in the bonnet.



Step 3: From the under-side, thread the spring, spring-cap and aluminum stop over the cable.



Step #4: Here's the tricky part (If I had three hands, or a helper, I'd have snapped a picture).

While pulling the cable taut with the pliers, Grab the stop with the snips and push it and the spring-cap upwards to compress
the spring (not easy to do alone). When you have achieved sufficient compression, crimp the stop.

NOW... BE SURE TO RE-CRIMP SEVERAL TIMES TO ENSURE A SECURE HOLD ON THE CABLE.





Step #5: Snip off the excess cable, and you're DONE!



Cost of Materials: $7.00, US. A new leaper installed at the dealership - approximately $280.00.

A task-specific crimping tool runs about $25.00. The snips work just fine.

I needed the extra $30.00 for a bottle of Crown Royal.



Collateral Damage: Small wire-***** to right middle finger. It only bled for a little while.




Miscellaneous Info:

*The job would be easier if a helper held the cable taut while you compressed the spring and crimped the stop.

*You must achieve sufficient spring-compression to hold the leaper firmly in place. That's the toughest part of the process.

*If the spring and spring-cap are forever lost, a generic replacement spring and a washer of some sort could be rigged to do
the trick. There's lots of room under the bonnet and out of sight of passersby.

*I accomplished the job, finally getting the spring tension right, on the third try.



Ahhh... The sweet sense of accomplishment!!!











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Dude you rock! Thanks for the awesome re installation post..this needs to be stickied!

 

Awesome.

 

Timetraveller1,

A most amazing helpful and informative post!!
My new leaper awaits and thanks again for taking the time to post your dilligent and hard-working and very interesting ethic, you are worthy of a Jaguar My Friend!!!
Only the BEST in every way, but why the carwash, when you can enjoy the touch, caress, and feel those fine curves by hand, after all, she is LIKE A WOMAN, I think !

grateful regards, Stu

 

Thanks for the kind comments, Stu!

I could not agree with you more. However, a flock of Common Grackles had done a number on "her".
I didn't notice that until shortly before leaving for a social event.



We arrived at the event clean, but leaper-less!








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aha, may I digress,
Fairplay in that case Timetraveller1!
In Fine fair Scotland the gulls have exceptional taste, they only like Jags, sadly mine in particular!
Usually after I have done the hard work and got her nice and gleeming!
Such is Life, with a Beautiful car................

 

Bill,

An excellent 'How To'.

Regrettably Jaguar Forums can't reimburse the materials cost despite your careful submission of the above receipt!

Graham

 

DRAT!

Oh well... I tried!

Bill



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Thank you, Stu, for understanding!

Bill

 

Researched this thread. Great advice, timetraveler1! My leaper "leaped" this morning! I have all the parts and will follow your instructions to the letter! Wish me luck!

 

Your instructions and photos were excellent. My leaper came off while brushing off snow, so I had no idea what pieces were missing. I wound up sliding two ferrules below the spring - one to crimp, the second as a spacer so I could actually crimp. Just love that wire cable interfacing with the fingers!