So here goes with problem number 3. A bloke stopped next to me at the lights and told me the bumper was loose. he used to own an XJ and was familiar with the prob, the only snag being we didn't have time to let him tell me of the difficulties.

There are two long bolts which are next to the exhaust ends, that thread upwards ... however, the bolt on the loose side is seized into whatever is at the other end. Does anybody have any advice? I noticed the whole of the bumper and exhaust bracket are combined secured by 3 bolts... worse still, a blind bolts! Really quick for the fitters at the factory but 20 years later it's a positive pain.

Any clues, let me know please.
Dixj

 

Hi.
Don't know about US variants but UK spec is both front and rear bumper are mounted on square plastic cones attached to the frame work and the bumper impact bar behind the bumper skin. The bolts securing the bumper to the cone is one long one screwing into an encapsulated boss. The problem is that after time, weather and many raid miles the steel bolt reacts with the aluminium bracketing on the head of the cone and they become fused.
The only way I've found is to alligator saw them off through the plastic cone and bye very good secondhand or new from the dealership. There are no aftermarket items here in UK and its either eBay etc of the thieves called Jaguar. I asked why the rear bumper components are so dear and was told by the Jaguar tech "it's because you are always breaking them and we hold the pattern" Hope this helps in some way.