Have a 1984 XJS, and as some know from previous post I am in the process of going thru the wiring and other things under the bonnet. Last night I removed the distributor cap and went to pull off the rotor only to no avail. it is stuck good(or should say bad) did spray some WD40 but still no luck. Need to get it off to change it out for a new one, and also want to check under the shield to see how the other components are. never had this problem on other cars, but then it may be the original, not sure. thanks for any info/suggestions

 

This is a difficult job. Do NOT pull it up forcibly, as you can crack rather fragile bits in the bottom.

Try rocking it up and down (one hand on one end pushing, one on the other pulling) so that the spindle is not being pulled upwards overall. If this does not work, I would suggest VERY carefully cutting it with a small dremel-type thing. A vertical cut down the outside of the bit that is slipped over the spindle.

You will need a new rotor in any case, so no harm done.

Greg

 

Hey thanks I was thinking of just cutting it like you mentioned, and I will make sure to put some plastic around the shaft so nothing gets into the distributor while cutting

 

This thing is a BI@#$, enough to make you think you are doing something wrong.... I cut my old one off and broke the new one putting it on. I got another and ended up bending the tab or whatever is on it so it wasn't as aggressive. I mean it IS key and it was still tight, so it isn't going anywhere.

I probably wouldn't have gotten it off without a dremel

 

got it done, cut it off carefully, but intended to replace anyhow. Thanks Guys