The "chrome" and leather J shifter surround in my X300 keeps coming loose (see the attached image where the "chrome" is just starting to come up again).

It comes loose but not completely off and when I can actually get it to click back into place, it comes loose again after a short while.

Anyone else have a problem with this? Or, better yet, a solution? I know it's a small thing but it's surprisingly irritating.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi Rhett,

That's a very common problem - the tabs or "fingers" on the underside of the chromed-plastic trim ring lose their "spring" or crack and no longer grip the lugs on the J-gate. Replacement trim rings may or may not still be available, but if they are, the price is silly. Jaguar Merriam Parts shows part number BEC10473 (Part 23 in the diagram at the link below) available for $69.80

http://www.jaguarmerriamparts.com/pa...gramCallOut=23

I eventually purchased a good replacement on ebay, but in the meantime, I helped my original loose trim ring with a little RTV silicone sealant used as a removable adhesive. I removed both the leather and chrome rings off the J-gate, installed the chrome ring back into the leather trim, then applied a dab of RTV silicone sealant at points where it contacted the leather trim, and also to each "tab" on the underside of the chrome ring where it grabs the J-gate. I then carefully reinstalled the assembled trim, wiped off any errant silicone from the J-gate, then laid a couple of books on the trim to hold it down overnight while the silicone cured. That repair held for a few years until I needed to remove the trim for some service, and by then I had found the good replacement ring on ebay.

I'll look forward to any ideas others may have to offer.

Cheers,

Don

 

I used Crazy glue over a year ago and it's been solid every since.

 

My tabs have been broken since I bought the car in 2010. But the whole thing floats as an assy - no separation of chrome/leather etc. I "J-gate" constantly and it's never been a problem. Actually a handy feature when you need to pull the ski-slope off....

 

I used 3M emblem adhesive. Also used it on a million other loose parts.

 

The J-gate trim comes loose because the pathetic retaining clips on the chrome part snap off. It appears that the clips, which are moulded into the lower edge of the chrome plated part, certainly weren't designed with any thought to the required strength and flexion.
My solution to the broken clips was to fabricate new ones out of a strip of light sheet steel (salvaged from the insides of a laptop i think) with the end bent over 135 deg. I attached these to the chrome trim with countersunk machine screws. I had to relieve the plastic moulding inside the leather covered part to clear the nuts, but you can't see that when its all assembled.

 

My question is: Has anyone figured out a "fool proof" way to remove the trim by unclipping the clips from the top so that there is no/little risk of breaking the trim ring clips when lifting it up and off?

Mine were already cracked when I pulled it off, so I didn't have a chance to really test a method. But it seems like possibly sliding a thin tool (strip of metal, plastic) down beside the trim to get between the chrome clip and the j-gate might? Anyone have a method that works that saves the clips?

.