I have a 1997 jaguar xk8 that I cannot manually release the

convertible latch above the rear mirror, what can I do to get it to unlatch the pressure has been released, I am afraid I will break something if I put more pressure on the allen wrench

 

Jonn,
Always good to 2x check:

You turned the handle on the motor counter clockwise, right?

You're using the Allen wrench that came with the car, right? (We don't want to strip the fitting)

Friend, I'm not surprised you are saying it won't move, mine takes a huge effort to turn. Almost to the point I need an extension for better leverage. In fact, let me bounce that idea off you.

Right now you're using a 4 inch long lever to turn and release it. I don't know about you, but when I'm putting thai kind of muscular effort in, the feeling of control and feedback drops exponentially. Take a pipe, or the handle from your hydraulic jack (they're hollow); slip it over the Allen wrench and try to turn. I bet the extra leverage plus the new feedback loop will make you more comfortable and will get it done.

What do you think?

John

 

It takes a lot of pressure to release the latch. Are you turning the wrench clockwise?

 

thanks, I thought about using something like that , I just didn't want to destroy anything

 

yes clockwise

 

Does the effort required vary from car to car? Status of hydraulics? I made sure the latch on mine was clean. Lubricated carefully w/ Tri Flow. It didn't take a lot of force to unlock the latch before I raised the top. Easy enough that I'm considering converting to manual latch (to avoid green shower).

 

I finally got it to unlatch, now with the top down I have discovered a hose with a hydraulic leak, can it be repaired is my next question

 

Hope your headliner is ok. Looked at a Jag the other day. He'd taken the "green shower". Headliner badly stained and looked terrible.

 

No, you can not repair a leaking hose. You have to install new ones

 

headliner is fine, hose leak is by the right hand lift cylinder

 

Is the leak the reason it's so hard to unlock the latch manually?

 

not sure it opens fine now

 

Wow, that sounds expensive