Anybody have any experience with these?

"CONVERTIBLE TOP HYDRAULIC HOSE ASSEMBLY JAGUAR XK8 & XKR 1997-2006"

Convertible Top Hydraulic Hose Assembly Jaguar XK8 XKR 1997 2006 HJB8256AB | eBay

The seller claims they will last the life of the car

I asked about the manufacturer and the seller claims that he makes them himself as needed. I must admit that struck me as odd but maybe not.

I want to make a move before the green shower and I am waiting to see how the manual latch conversion works out but I am also investigating replacement hoses.

 

I would ask what the working and burst pressures are. I bought a complete set(6 hoses) of updated spec.(9000psi working pressure) from TopHydraulics for $600 - they have only been on about 6 weeks so too early to comment on longevity.

 

Good idea.

I am quite intrigued about the manual latch conversion. I can't get over having the thought that the original design is just poor and with no real long term testing of any of the solutions out there just abandoning it for now may give me the best piece of mind.

My car is a Summer weekend driver so given the amount of times the top goes up and down in a given year a quarter turn with a tee handle allen wrench to latch and unlatch the top seems like a good solution.

But at this price point I guess these hoses may be a viable alternative.

 

I've had a hose go at the latch and one at the pump(r/h lift cylinder supply) - in both cases it was the crimp that had failed rather the hose itself. I think the original crimps are the weak point in the system followed by(from what I have read) the latch cylinder seals.My hoses looked to be original so had lasted 14yrs in the Florida heat- not too bad really. I changed to the upgraded hoses rather than Jaguar parts because the spec.looked better - and if I have trouble with the latch cylinder(tempting fate now :0)) I will upgrade that to the TopHydraulics rebuilt unit which according to them will not fail, with or without a pressure reducing device. That way I retain the original operation of the roof for a fairly modest outlay- but of course, it's all down to personal choice.