I have a 97 XK8 convertible. How do you get the backs off of the front seats? Also if you remove the seats to install new covers do you have to disconnect the battery? I read somewhere it could make the air bags deploy?

FYI I am a new member and have already learned a lot about the car here and have also had a couple of questions answered already. Thanks folks. It is good to be here!

 

You don't have side air bags in the seats on the '97 so you can work on them safely. Although not strictly necessary to disconnect the battery when removing early seats, I always prefer to disconnect before disturbing any of the electrics.

Here's the JTIS procedure for removing the back panel:

Removal
1. Using rear passenger access knob, release the seat back and move it to the fully forward position.

2. Remove rear access knob and escutcheon.
a) With a small flat bladed screwdriver, ease open the knob stem to clear the seat lever tang and remove the knob.
b) Carefully ease knob escutcheon from two studs.
c) Slacken and remove two screws.
d) Slacken and remove the two screws securing the lower section of the seat back finisher to the frame.

3. Withdraw the trim and 32 clips from seat back finisher and position trim for access.

4. Remove seat back finisher from seat

Installation
1. Align and fit back finisher to front seat.

2. Reposition back finisher trim and secure with the 32 clips.

3. Fit and tighten the two screws securing the lower section of the back finisher to the seat.

4. Fit escutcheon and rear passenger access knob and return seat back to the upright position.

Graham

 

Superb Graham....nice assist.

No pics though?...lol

 

I am a bit confused. I took off the knob, removed the screws, but I do not see any kind of a retainer. It just looks like the seat back is pushed into the seat frame and is locking the cover into place. It seems to be quite a tight fit. I am afraid to pull on it too hard as I am afraid it might break.

 

Did you solve this? I am dealing with same on my 01, seems like it will break and the JTIS directions are very vague.

 

I just installed topsonline covers on my car.

The seat cover is stuffed into the seatback. Start at the bottom and pull it out, don't be too gentle.

If installing topsonline cover, you will not reuse the metal clips, at least I saw no way to do so. The new cover has a different type of black plastic rib, and it doesn't look like it will fit. I found that using a heat gun to soften the rib makes it possible to stuff into the seat back with a wooden wedge and a hammer.

I'm not an upholsterer and may be completely wrong but it worked for me. I started about 8" up from the bottom, worked around the top, then to the bottom on both sides. Don't be shy with the heat gun. You'll also need it to remove wrinkles when you're don.

 

RJ237
I also ordered from tops online. But my set is exactly 100% identical to the factory set that I just removed, clips and all (at least for the back rest, I have not removed the squab yet), I have posted in another post just now about the same issues here with photos on how to or what not to do in removing the back rest knob and back plate referred to by the jtis as "rear access knob" https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...9/#post1229954

Maybe you could take a look, because now I have a new problem as I was not expecting all those metal rings holding the fabric and do not know what tools I need or what to do with that. How did you remove the existing underside fabric from the metal rings and how did you reassemble that section. The last photos in the above link are what I am referring to...Thanks for your time.

 

chris- my response was to Jag happy. Your car has a totally different design with which I am not familiar.