Do you know if you have another leak maybe at the rams? Check the Forward side of each rear wheel well for evidence of oil.

 

Hi Gus .. I still respectfully disagree as a lubricant, metal is metal, although they do offer a fairly recent WD40 with a lubricant added which may be OK.


I tried using wd40 on a daily driver vehicle for door hinges (15 years ago) thinking it wouldn't be a mess like spray oil. Two seasons later the door hinges and pins were so worn out from being dry inside that I had to have them replaced due to staging. It's the only time that I've ever had that problem.


Happy motoring .. Jim

 

I cleaned the rams and lubed with silicone as well as the hinges. The latch still catches when opening the top unless I help lift the drivers side.

I noticed that the lift mechanism is slightly skewed to lift higher on the passenger side from the drivers side thus the sag and catch on the latch. I looked for any adjustment points on the lift or loose connections.

Any suggestions?

Jim

 

The pump supplies the same amount of pressure to both rams and you have no adjustment on them. It sounds like the ram on the right side might have a problem. The ram on the right has the switches to tell the security module that it is satisfied the roof is closed and to latch the roof and operate the windows.

 

I had same issue and solved it today
Both of the prongs were binding going into the latches as the rubber had been chewed off going into the latch mechanism. I took off the left prong and top opened as expected. I can see where in both latch mechanisms where the prong has rubbed the coating off the latch and the wear is evident. No way to move latch mechanisms as they bolt to A pillar crossover. So I sanded off the chewed up rubber and some of the aluminum top part of prong and put some silicon grease on them and everything seems to work now.

 

Gus,

I removed the passenger back speaker. The ram cylinder is just hanging by the hoses. I see the pivot point where the cylinder is held, but no way to keep it on there. Any thoughts.

Also when people say the switches on the ram on on the right hand side, I am assuming they mean the passenger side.

 

Gus

Here are some pictures.

 

Yes you are missing a few parts. This illustration shows the cover you are missing look and see if it fell off in the car

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

If you can find it, get some PB Blaster for your lubricating needs. Great stuff.

 

Oregon Jag,

Local guy here and a 10 year love affair with my 97 XJ6. I finally found the 97 XK8 that my wife wants. I remember my contacts at Shelton telling me that the XK8 had some sort of early and major recall on the top mechanism that if not performed, was an eventual kiss of death. The top on the car I'm looking at, functions but will not close all the way. Also an alignment issue, left to right, so the latch doesn't line up. Before I buy this thing do you have any general insight on what to look for? 503 781 2581 if you don't mind talking. arley.pitts@gmail.com