Has anybody changed out the door handle gaskets on their XJ8's/VDP/XJR's here?
Mine are almost completely weathered out, and I was wondering if anybody changed them out, or simply ran some kind of a sealant to prevent further damage, water getting inside the door?

Thanks!

 

At the Jaguar store you have to buy the $700 lock assembly to get the gasket so not many have gone that route.

Coventry West sells an aftermarket gasket alone for, I think $70 for the pair. When installing those you have to remove the lock assembly or cut the gasket but that is better than the OEM solution.

Others may sell the gasket, no benefit from the Coventry West mention, blah, blah, blah.

 

The part is called a GIMP meaning Gap IMprovement Part and the price is absurd. In the concept car business we used a lot of the black 3M double sided foam with PSA on both sides. It's the same stuff used to hold emblems on the car.

When I repainted my car last summer I cut it in strips that were about 3/16" wide and 12" long. I started and ended at the bottom center of each handle so the seam was where no one could see it.

To install get a spray bottle of water with a couple of of drops of soap mixed in it and spray it around the door opening. Depending on how hot it is you should have enough time to move the handle into position before the water evaporates and the adhesive sticks.