The actual leaper was stolen, leaving just the base-plate attached. I have a new leaper and have removed the plastic retaining-nut from under the hood but nothing makes that plate budge even a little bit.

I tried running fishing wire underneath it to separate the adhesive and in the front-direction it does not even go under the base-plate and in the rear-direction I can get it under but the line just keeps snapping once a few mm inward.

Ideas??

 

I removed my badge and it was difficult. I removed the nut and applied even pressure from the bottom up until it began to disconnect but that was on a warm day. I would apply a little heat (Hair Dryer) and pressure from the bottom you should be successful. You may need additional help!

 

The hair dryer won't ruin the paint?

What does it look like underneath, goopy or does the most of the adhesive just stick to the car or the leaper-plate? Did you clean it off the car before remounting or just stuck the new one right over?

Also, would shooting WD40 or Silicone Spray underneath ruin the paint? It should break the adhesive...

 

The hair dryer from underneath should not get the hood much hotter than it gets on a hot day in the sun. Just use amount of heat needed to get it moving/rocking loose. I would not recommend WD40, it's petroleum based, and I would think it could damage the clear coat. Don't know about silicon, but it may do the same. If it says flammable anywhere, I wouldn't use it on the paint....maybe some one else will chime in and advise or correct my input. How about a steel guitar string, instead of fishing line? Good luck.

 

With modest heat from a hair dryer, continue with nylon fishing line or dental floss. Be persistent. Steel wire WILL scratch the paint.

 

hair dryer on the top of the hood or through the hole on the underside?

With NY weather it may be a few days before I can try this (pouring rain at the moment...)

 

After I got it off I used WD40 to remove the residue. The product is a double face tape.

 

It probably will be more effective from the top. Since the adhesive material is a bit of a thermal insulator, you will be heating less mass (the plate rather than the hood) from the top. Work the line/floss a bit from all 4 sides.

 

okay here's the quick pro $50 tip. drop a large phillips screwdriver to use as a lever in the hole from the top, and rock it side to side. It takes seconds to pop it off. And most of the time leaves no adhesive tape. if it does either leave it or rub off by hand and clean. DO NOT use anything to scrape, youll risk damagiing the paint

 

Thanks Brutal I will try it the next time.

 

Great idea! Won't that bend the hood in the process?

 

absolutly, but jaguar owners are too old and blind to see that..............seriously, do you think i would have told you something ive done for years without issue. No

 

From what I remember when removing mine, the fishing line doesn't work well because there's pegs at the ends of the base that go into holes in the hood and prevent the line from going to the middle section, where most of the adhesive is.

 

haha, oh dear!

I guess my question (which you already answered) was have you actually tried this with success, lol...

As for the fishing line, if I were able to even come close to reaching the two pegs with it I would not have been asking here in the forum - the fishing line seems like an impossible solution unless I find some 500lb-test wire!

 

remember, i have worked at a dealer for 14 yrs and have probobly replaced over a 100

 

Brutal is creditable and it should be understood he would not lead you down the wrong path.

 

Maybe he related your answer to your user name. Just kidding, couldn't resist

 

Brutal: Your input here is always much appreciated. Your quick wit and occasional sourcasm (sp? can't find it in the Funk & Wagnalls) are a source of unintended humor for me. No offense intended, we can all use some humor when we're here trying to correct a not so humorous problem with our Jags. Keep it coming.

Now I'm the source of humor. At least the Wife's still in the house laughing...."sarcasm". I knew better.

 

Brutal: Dude, you rock! Worked like a charm and now I have a new leaper mounted!

 

I have to admit, I probably never would have thought of the screwdriver. Great info for future! I owned and operated a sign shop for over 15 years, so dealt with the goo of many sticky emblems, decals, etc... Sometimes, popping it off is the easy way as opposed to separating it and cleaning the resulting mess. We also did use hair dryers when needed with good results. Just don't heat it above what is slightly uncomfortable to touch. We used a citrus based cleaner to remove the goo.

But the "Screwdriver Pop" is fantastic! (Kinda sounds like a fizzy Orange drink, for grownups!)