X308 Jaguarians,

Does anyone know how I remove the front bumper cover on my 2001 XJ8? I want to bring it to my paint guy to repaint. Not sure where the fastening points are on this.

Thanks in advance.

 

The bumper is held on in two spots. If you feel underneath, you'll find some openings. They should be around the inner headlights.

Undo them and carefully pull the bumper forwards.

 

Below are the steps listed in the JTIS workshop manual. As you can see it is a little more than a few bolts. Removing the wheel arch liners gives access to all of the lighting plugs. Removing the grill and surround gives access the the mounting bolts. Main thing is take your time and don't force anything and you should be just fine.

1. Position vehicle on 4-post ramp.
2. Remove battery cover and disconnect ground cable from
battery terminal. Refer to 86.15.19
3. Remove radiator surround and grill. Refer to 76.55.15 and
76.55.03.
4. Raise ramp to working height.
5. Using wheel-free lifts, remove front wheels.
6. Remove wheelarch liners for access.
7. Remove undertray. Refer to 76.22.90.
8. At each side of vehicle:
 Disconnect fog lamp, direction indicator and sidemarker
lamp (where fitted) harness multiplugs.
 If headlamp powerwash is fitted, remove and discard
plastic clip from hose and disconnect hose at RH side of
bumper.
9. Slacken and remove bolts securing bumper assembly to
mounting struts.
10. Lower 4-post ramp.
11. Carefully withdraw bumper casing and beam assembly
forward to remove.

 

If you're going to be removing the undertray you should be able to just drop that, disconnect side marker harness on each side, take out the two bolts and be good to go. Probably no need to pull wheel arches? Mine's missing the undertray anyway, so it's even easier.

 

I am replacing my front bumper mounts (old ones broke off after someone was kind enough to park into it).
I cant get the 2 bolts removed that are at the bottom side of the bumper cover. Anyone familiar with this problem?
1 bolt is turning but not going anywhere. The 2nd I turned counterclockwise until it got stuck. It somehow feels like I will destroy something if I push it any further.

Thanks in advance

 

I ended up drilling the bushings on the old bumper mounts to bits so I could get a better look.
The spacer is not the problem. It looks like the nut that is in the bumper beam is not fixed an rotating while I try to loosen the bolt.
No clue how to fix that issue. I am afraid by now I end up taking apart the whole front bumper
Anyone any ideas?

 

I figured out the bolts where stuck in the nuts that are integrated in the bumper bar. Trying to lossen them actually only loosened the nut from the bumper bar. (not sure if I explain that right.
I had to drill out the bushing to give me enough clearance to push the nuts out. Then removing the chrome panels and use a plier to hold the nut while loosening the bolt.
Since my bumper mounts had broken off, I could do it this way. I dont see how this could have been solved with the bumper still attached to the car. Probably drilling out the mounting bolts.