Ok so I have to ask, I am a diy guy and have done some tinkering on my 1997 XK8. One main problem I've had is that even though my hood (bonnet) opens and draws itself up after a certain point, when there is wind blowing decently off the fields my hood slams shut! It really doesn't feel like the struts are going, has anyone done anything to theirs to make it stay open? I know my XJS has locking struts, but I'd hate to put them in and have something break if the wind blows lol 😁

 

There is a trick as you can undo the gas struts at the top, and the hinges allow the bonnet to go vertical. Look carefully at the hinges and you’ll see holes where you can thread a bolt through.

if you’re working outdoors like this, best to avoid windy days

 

^^ That is called putting the hood into the service position, and it indeed comes in handy when working on the front of the engine. Every DIY person should know how to do this....

 

I will definitely be looking into this! I'm probably going to be going to a couple of car shows with my dad and son this year and it might be a good idea to put the hood in that position just in case

 

mine did the same until I replaced the struts (pretty cheap for a new set). With new struts, I have not had the hood slam shut during breezy conditions. I don't know that I would recommend the service position while at a car show.

 

Gotcha. Ok maybe mine are near the end of their lives

 

Cheap fix,yard brush handle with a bog plunger rubber at one end😉👍

 

"Cheap fix,yard brush handle with a bog plunger rubber at one end����"

Translation please?
All I got was "cheap fix" and something about a rubber plunger.

 

Basically saying use the handle from a broom and the rubber end of a plunger. It would definitely be an option lol

 

I thought you said you were planning on taking the Jag, with father and son, to car shows. Not sure you want to display the car with an open bonnet secured by a broom handle and rubber bog plunger.

 

Yes I was, and no, I would not want to have it at a car show with a rake handle and plunger lol 😂. Of course I also don't want to have it slam shut on someone's head lol 😁

 

I believe in order to put the bolt through the hole for the service position you must disconnect the gas springs. You should be very careful using this position, if the wind catches it, the hinges could be bent.