The Europeans still can't make a decent cup holder - if you really need cup holders, buy a Chevy.

The XK8 cup holders are no exception. While there are many points of failure, if yours is broken at the hinge, it may be fixable without spending $150 for the repair kit.

I used some epoxy putty (like Mighty Putty) to build new pivot points.

• Clean the broken area with alcohol or other solvent
• Knead a small amount of the putty to a uniform color
• Roll the putty out to a cylinder about 1/8" in diameter
• Form the putty in and around the broken area, replicating the original shape as best as possible.
• Let the putty cure overnight
• Use a Dremel tool to shape the cured putty
• Use a 5/32" drill to create the pivot point
• Use fine sandpaper to smooth out the putty
• Paint the finished repair with black model paint
• Carefully insert the hinge rods into the new pivot points

The putty is amazingly strong, and bonds well with the ABS plastic. Although I'm being careful with the repaired hinge, it is holding up fine. Cost about $5.00 - a whole lot better than $150.

 

When the cost of these went through the roof, I started fabricating steel clips to replace the broken hinge brackets. You don't have to be careful with them, they will never break again at the pivots.

If anybody has kept their old broken cupholder with all the other components intact, please PM me and I'll give you $10.00 plus the shipping for it.

 

Dang! Wish I had known that before. If my fix fails, I'll look you up.

 

No it's cool, it sounds like you did a careful job which is what it takes. When I looked at it, I thought about going your route. Then I decided that the best result I could acheive that way was to make it as good as it was before it broke...which wasn't good enough in the first place.

The later factory ones have two horizontal piano hinges on the underside, those are pretty much indestructable. Even more expensive too.

 

I went that route, it worked for some time then, the putty failed, I took a thin strip of brass around the hinge point then filled that with putty, filed, drilled, finished, works well! I did end up replacing the rest because the latch then failed and, the leather was done too. Anyone know where the tire pressure sticker can be found like on the bottom of the OEM one?

 

I might have the inside liner with the sticker still on it, if that floats your boat. What year?

 

I just took the whole top off the storage unit on the console. Went to the local yacht sales and bought two stainless steel cup holders. I then fabricated an insert to go in the console and covered it with matching leather. And I still had room for a Kleenex box to mount on the rear. For those of you who use kleenex's and not your sleaves or the good ole close one and blow one. I'll take some pics later today and post.

 

I believe it is against the law to have cup holders in vehicles in the EU or was that just cell phone use while driving is illegal in the EU.

 

Mine's an '02 XKR

 

No dice, sorry

 

Jag Tech,

How much would you charge me to do this fix on my cup holder?

 

I would like to have you make steel clips for the cup holders on my jag. Please let me know if you can do this and how much you want.
Thanks,
Steve

 

Are the cupholders you are referring to similar to wthe abomination found in the x300's?if so jagtech i have one you can have .. just take it away lol and my new one looks like it was fixed already with putty asnd possibly a fibreglass repair kit.. tho well done.. i noticed it right away..

 

My cup-holder also has a broken pivot point. After reading the good suggestions made here, I decided to go another route. Since even a good repair results in a still marginal or very fragile cup-holder, why bother? It will never properly hold my "Starbucks mug" nor any larger size paper cup anyway. So my solution to the problem was to disable it by pinning the cup retainers to the bottom of the upper lid (with the holder assembly closed of course), which is unseen. And I now at least have a proper looking compartment cover without the embarrassment of the broken holder half hanging off the front of the lid. No worries about it popping open unexpectedly either!

 

Here you see the difference in life styles between us British and you Americans. I am now on my third car with cupholders and I have never used them. Why are they fitted ? (only kidding !)

 

CUP HOLDERS??? You actually drink or eat in your car?? Sacrilege!!

 

Exactly! If the Brits can't make a decent one, why bother? Just leave the bloomin thing out. (just kidding too!)

 

I used to drive my F450 which rode like a buckboard and shift 5 gears at the same time without spilling a drop. Why would I worry in a smooth riding Jag? But then again happens.

 

Outstanding information thank you ... tired of paying the Jag dealer for little issues like this ... Thank you!