Damaged front undertray.
 

99 XK8 Convertible. Poor roads and speed bumps have resulted in the front undertray being removed. Whilst looking for a replacement is there any reason why it shouldn’t be driven? Thanks.

other than looking ugly...don't think so.

Thanks for the response Barry, my concern was about the rigidity of the underside of the bodywork. Does the undertray hold it together and if it’s been removed would there be an issue?

The undertray (apparently) gives two benefits:

1. improved airflow through the radiator and under the car
2. makes the front bumper stiffer

Without the undertray in place, the front bumper is only secured around the top edge. The undertray fastened to the bottom edge makes it more of an open box with greater structural integrity.

That being said, there's lots of XK8/XKR's running around with broken or missing undertrays .....

Graham

Take this as a suggestion to double check your ride height. Chances are the car is riding low because of failed upper strut mounts (they all fail over time). Find the Vehicle Spec Book on jagrepair.com and measure the ride height as specified. It is a simple measurement that will tell you a lot.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

PS: From memory, this undertray also holds the bottom of the inner wheel well liner. If missing, the air flow may push that liner into the tire and wear it out.

after a 80 mph wrestling match in the dark with a black alligator ( i.e. a truck tire carcass ), my under tray was ripped clean off. Have driven about 5,000 miles since then. No change in engine coolant or oil temperatures.

I used a couple of zip ties to hold the wheel liner tight against the bumper. Can't see them unless you are on your back under the car. Bumper and wheel liner don't have any more movement than they did before the "incident".

I've been looking for a decent used under-tray and the lower snorkel for the alternator. So far I've discovered there are no used ones in good condition.

Z