A while back, after having removed the center console J-gate surround using the very helpful youtube video


Around 3:42 on the video, the brackets holding the center console trim piece are shown with the ridge facing down and the narrator (Reverend Sam on this forum?) says "the little angled bit goes down".

So, for me (2001XK8) it does not appear that the little angled bit can go down. I spent some considerable time trying to figure out how they could possibly go down (since I had not bothered to take note of how they were oriented before I removed them since I had the great video).

I have the right (GJA7846AD) and left (GJA7847AD) brackets from Jag and they appear to be indicated with the angled bit up as pictured below.


Brackets on bags from Jag.

I tried all four ways this could happen, but only ridge up as indicated in the picture above seems to work. The two ridge down and successful ridge up are shown below. The final ridge up, 'upside down' clearly does not work.



Way that appears to be indicated on the video, but cannot work for me.


Another way that does not work with ridge down.



The way that appears to work for my situation, left side.


Right side, in place, ridge up.

So, bottom line, appears the little angled bit goes up for me.

Did you get new retainers? As that would explain the troubles as fit up of new trim bits can be troublesome on an old car.

Still as long as it’s secure, doesn’t rattle and the J Gate Surround bezel goes over easily. It’s all covered.

Well done.

Yes, new retainers, thus the pictures. I didn't like how the old ones were bent up in the middle (previous owner?), and couldn't straighten them to my liking to put consistent pressure on the wood without possible stress concentrations.

But the general shape of the new ones and old ones are the same here.

Good idea getting new retainers this avoiding stresses on any wooden trim.

Just make sure that you can still easily remove the Bezel, as you’ll need to be in there again in the future.... hopefully in the far far future

Great advice. With Reverend Sam's demonstration of the clever hotel key trick, I've been in the console numerous times in the last few months.

I have the original retainers and I too had to put them on facing UP....Mine were that way when I first removed them..? Not sure if someone else had been in there before me however..?

Just had a look...my wood trim piece looks slightly different...the cut-out area is not the same as shown in the video. Mine looks like yours in the pics.

I think something fishy is going on here...LOL..!

The trim pieces I could see on ebay, etc, for this era appeared to look like ours as well. The other odd thing about facing down would be the potential for the edge of the trim (rougher and ricketier) to impinge on the bracket facing down. I'd much rather smooth pressure from the top of the bracket than vibrational whacking on the side.

However, my XK8 is so much vibrationally smoother than any other car I have (Mercedes SUV, VW new bug, Cadillac, Mitsubishi), that this is probably theoretical only.