Greetings, While standing in front of my XK8 enjoying the view I noticed a difference between the passenger and driver side headlamp assemblies. Upon closer inspection there appears to be a flexible black trim surround or "gasket" that fits around the headlamp and fills out the opening in the body. The passenger side appears to be missing this "trim" item. A reasonable search of the internet has not identified this item. I will sincerely appreciate any help and part numbers if at all possible. Regards, Ken

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it comes with the headlight assembly.

 

Johns55 is correct. The trim piece is actually part of the headlight assembly, it is what seals the glass lens to the plastic housing

 

On my '99 model, as far as I can see, it's just a D shaped piece of black flexible plastic held on with double sided tape. Mine's starting to come off, and will be cleaned and fixed back on with more tape. I'm fairly sure you will be able to find some black, stick-on draught-proofing that would look about right for about $5...

 

Thanks very much for all the information. I guess I will start by removing the left lamp assembly to get a good idea of the size and shape of the "D" gasket and then go shopping. McMaster Carr carries a variety of "rubber" seal shapes and it is likely I will be able to find a reasonable choice. Regards, Ken

 

Hey colquan, be sure to post the specs and a link to the seal when you get it. Good to know.

 

Yes, please post specs and seal links. I have the same problem with my seals, and it seems that the rubber doesn't go all the way around either headlight on my 1997 XK8. I may have to do some experimentation.

 

Here's the procedure for replacing the headlight lens> I posted this a while back when my lens needed replacing due to a rock that decided my lens was too perfect. As you can see, the gasket is apparently part of the lens assy. Since I wasn't replacing that, I didn't take note of how it is affixed

 

Thanks for that! Mine looks a little different though on the 1997, in that the gasket didn't go all the way around, leaving perhaps a 4 inch gap at the bottom where there was no gasket/seal at all. Does anyoene know offhand if that is "Normal?"

 

ooblick,
My 1999 xk8 is the same, the gasket doesn't go all the way round as you say. I thought it had broken and fallen off ( like a number of other parts on the car) but no, it's has a neatly cut end, so is supposed to be like that.
Did you find anything after-market to fit?

 

Hi Oddjob2000. No, I found nothing to fit after market, so I cleaned up the gasket and re-stuck it down. It's not perfect, but it's ok. I saw some aftermarket chrome surrounds on eBay that they claim would be peachy keen, and thought about painting them black, but haven't done much yet. It doesn't look as perfect as I'd like, but then again the whole car really could use a repaint, so who am I to be nit picky?

 

Sorry about the picture quality in my post above. If you do a forum search on headlight lens, and click on my post, you'll see clear pictures and the full write up on the procedure to change the lens, lens washer and what not.