Hello my learned friends.

Just returned from a 2500 mile road trip. High beam headlight lens shattered. See photo.

Shattered lens on high beam.

Bought a replacement on eBay for US$ 45.

With workshop manual as my guide:
1. Remove radiator grill. Refer to 76.55.03. -------------------------- DONE
2. Remove radiator grill surround. Refer to 76.55.15 ------------- DONE
3. Remove headlamp trim panel. Refer to 76.11.23. ------------- STUCK.
see photos


Removed 2 screws that hold grill and headlight surround.




Removed Phillips screw from top of headlight surround.

Now I'm stuck. The workshop manual doesn't have a section 76.11.23. There is something holding the headlight trim panel on the bottom just between the two headlights. Maybe is is just a simple snap plug, but I can't see it. Maybe it's a screw but again, I can't see it.

Can anyone out there help?

Very respectfully, Bob G in Florida

 

Yes, it is a Fir Tree plastic plug. It engages into a hole in the black plastic headlight bracket and sits VERY TIGHT. The only way I managed to release it was by pushing on the Fir Tree from the inside of the headlight bracket (see 2nd pic) using a suitable rod. And even that required a lot of force and, I think, I also hammered a bit on the rod.

The Fir Tree plug is not listed as a separate part but p/n KTD100001 suits the application. If you use a new plug, it is probably a good idea to slightly enlarge the hole in the headlight bracket so that the plug does not engage so tight (for any subsequent removals).

 

If you don't get results from the above, or simply don't want that way, you can actually remove just the lamp fixture without removing anything.
Each fixture is fixed on 3 ball-joints, if you look from the inside with the bonnet open, and use a strong torch, you will see what I mean.

Spray some grease or lubricant in each of them (I used WD40), it also helps if everything is warm (like after a ride, or using a hair blower).
If you carefully put forward pressure on the fixture around one ball-joint at the time (using a long screw driver or trim removing tool), they will pop out.
Use some rags and some tape to prevent the fixture falling out, or damaging the surrounding paint.

It sounds scary, but is actually really easy, just be careful.

 

Thank you both for the help. As suggested by Stojanovic I tried for several hours to push, tap, and pry on that fir tree fitting without any luck. So, I went ahead and followed guidance from Eric Jansen. I looped a heavy gauge wire around the interface between the white plastic ball stem and the fixed position ball. I yanked and presto, it popped loose. Just like he said, it sounded scary but it was actually easy.

You both are very helpful. Imagine, a jaguar maintenance requirement without any documentation would be unsolvable with your fine help and experience.

Very respectfully, Robert Grisar in Florida