Hi Guys,
I have to replace the S switch on my 1999 XK8 and want to know how to remove the shifter ring. I don't want to just pry it up and break it. Thanks guys

 

Carefully!!!!!!!!!!


Best way is to slide a thin knife or credit card down the sides but this does not always work because you really need to prise the tab out rather than push in and there is no way you are going to do that easy.

Perhaps it is time to go for the polished surround, that way you dont have to worry so much

I do have one off the car here at the moment and if no one else has a pic I can take one if you like.

 

To add to XKRacer's comments, I see you are up in Canada....brrrrr. I would crank up the heat for a half hour and get the car good and warm inside to make the plastic less brittle before you try to remove the ring.

If you do break it, I agree, the polished chrome or aluminum ones available from several sources really do improve the look of the interior.

 

all my tabs are broken...and i've come up with a macgyver solution...sticky stuff from the dynamat around the stumps...works great.

 

I had the same problem on my XKR and removed it very very carefully. Still snapped one tab on it. Called a Jaguar dealer in the U.K that was local for a new one. They told me the cost price for one is £79 i was so happy i was sat down at the time or i would have fallen down.... How they can charge so much for a plastic part is beyond me...

 

Thanks guys, this has got to be the most helpful forum I've ever been on. I only have had the car since September so I don't have much info or experience and hope someday I'll be able to help other. Thanks again.

 

This might help http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairIpodInstall.htm The suggestion of using the credit card is not a bad idea but you need to insert it from the top between the outer and inner bezel. The bezel has 4 clips/stays slide the card forward or aft and when it stops apply a little downward pressure to the outer bezel and at the same time move the lower portion of the card outward this should undo the one of the 4 clips. If you have the misfortune and break a clip you will be like the rest of us.

 

As requested by Zmann, I thought I would post them up as others might find this of interest.

You can clearly see the 4 tags which hold the surround in place.





This pic shows what the tags locate onto, if you fit a polished surround, there are 2 metal strips screwed through the wood into the J Gate itself, remove these, 1 is shown in the picture, the polished surround screws into the J Gate in the same place as the metal strips holding everything in place





Good luck

 

Hi Tony,
This will be very helpful. I can see now how it has to come off. Thanks again.

 

Gus,
Thanks for the above info. ...I note that you are using a K&N filter on your XK8 .I am having a problem finding a supplier for a kit that will fit my 2005 XK8. Any suggestions?

Stainless(Stan)

 

Stan
I see that you have 2005 XK8 in your statement; on your profile you have 2004 XK8. Regardless of the year you need to go to K&N Products by Vehicle Search - Year, Make, Model, Engine Search and enter your correct information. If you are not satisfied with the price use the filter # you get and go to Amazon.com, enter the # and see if the price is right.

 

I actually did this THREE TIMES today (don't ask). I didn't break any of the tabs, fortunately. So I'll throw in my two cents here:

1. Like others have said, a credit card is helpful, but two old hotel keys are even more helpful. They are thinner and slide in easier.
2. Place one hotel key/credit card horizontally on the wood trim and slide it in underneath the surround.
3. Take the other credit card and slide it in vertically between the surround and the shifter mechanism.
4. Slide a thin, flat head screwdriver in horizontally between the credit card and the surround. The purpose of that first credit card is to protect the wood from the screwdriver blade. You need some upward pressure on the surround, and that's what the screwdriver blade will provide.
5. Then, manuever the other credit card around in the gap, pushing the bottom of the card outward as Gus described.
6. Start at the front and work your way back because at the very back of the surround, behind the S button, there's a big tab that grabs the wood. It's much easier to get the surround out by tilting up the front than by trying to pry out the tab at the back.

I made a video of the process. I'll try to post it later this evening.

 

As promised, here's a video of how I remove the J-gate surround. Other's may do it differently, but this is how I do it.

J Gate Surround Removal - YouTube

 

Gus,
Sorry about that. The car was purchased in 2005 but was a brand new 2004 model. Since the 04 and 05's models were identical, I always think of it as an 05.

PS Thanks for the info....I already tried that but was unable to see a Kit listed for my XK8. If at first you don't succeed etc,etc.......

 

That was random.

 

Reverend Sam's video really fills the bill, but for those of you who don't stay at a lot of hotels, I found grocery store scan cards work well too, as they are also thinner than credit cards.

As in the video you are using one card under it to lift it up a bit while using the other card to slide around the edge until you bump into the tab and then you use the card on a bit of an angle pushing away from the J-gate which moves the tab towards the J-gate and releases it. Two of mine were already broken but this technique saved the other two.

As a bonus I found my S button top down there, as well as a penny for good luck!

Thanks again Reverend Sam, Gus and XKRacer.