XK8 Underbody
 

My car has had the front apron replaced by the local dealer and it looks like a job I may have done when I was 16 working on my Fiat 124 Wagon....at night...drunk..(or worse back then)

Does anyone have a picture or drawing of how the underside of the area beneath the front bumper/engine should look?

Thank you all in advance.

BTW, any place I can get exploded views of the car?

The undertray is held on by three screws in the middle (possibly, mine wasn't and this diagram doesn't show them either) and 12 plastic rivets (six per side) on the edges:
https://a.imageshack.us/img337/1861/undertray.gif
https://oi39.tinypic.com/34gxbm1.jpg

It's pretty simple to install. I'm not sure how someone could mess it up. Can you post a picture of yours?

I think the Rev did a youtube video on changing the engine coolant and draining the radiator. Doesn't that show how to take this piece off?
Do you mean the part my wife uses to trap birds?

Following on from Keith's drawings, here's the parts manual diagram and component list:

Attachment 17507

Graham

Thanks all.

Yup that is what mine looks like, but I thought it was pretty crude...maybe the screws they used.......

There must be an issue w ride height, as the previous owner complained about a tire rub.

The schematic you posted GGG brings up another good point, I have no front bumper bracket!

Fun fun

Thanks again all!

With all the fixings in place, the undertray is solidly attached to the front bumper. The early fixings were complete c**p but slightly improved from around 2001. The later fixings will work with the early undertray.

I've seen a few where the original Jaguar fixings have been replaced with spring clips and self tappers - an even worse solution than using the early type.

Graham

What is it that you are claiming is not done right?

Plums,

I looked at it again last night.

I guess what Graham said about using non stock items holds true...

it appears that when the dealer replaced the undertray they used large phillips head screws with abnormally large washers...these washers are almost an inch wide.

Not a big issue over all, just cosmetic. Should not be troublesome under 125 mph..:-)

Thank you again everyone for the input and drawings!

More than likely they used fender washers to increase the surface area of the fastenening points. This could assist in keeping the tray from being easily knocked off by parking bumpers, suicidal squirrels, etc.

I took mine off the other night... it had black large shouldered #2 phillips screws...

All my original hardware for it went back on fine, but guys please, make sure this part is SECURE on your cars.

I took mine off the other night... it had black large shouldered #2 phillips screws...

yeah, certainly not stock. Separate screws and washers

I'll mess with it. Supposed to be a nice day here tomorrow.

You can get some plastic rivets from an auto parts store. These are the ones I used. They actually look a little nicer than the factory Jaguar "scrivets"

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/225643.jpg
NAPA AUTO PARTS

I pass two Napas on the way home...

I'll check them out.

Thanks

Mine was sheetmetal screws into blind flat nuts... I have a 2004 if that makes a difference.

A 2004 may be different, but with my 2001 somebody before I bought it replaced the plastic rivets (scrivets) with sheet metal screws. This car spent it's whole life in Houston. They actually distorted the front bumper below. When I repainted the car I replaced the undertray and all the fasteners with the factory originals and the distortion disappeared. I believe the metal would not let the plastic move enough in the higher temperatures as it expanded. I haven't had the problem since.

Opps, my undertray is missing. So is the inside wing/ fender protection liner thingy...

'Wing / fender protection liner thingy' = Wheelarch Liner

Apart from appearances, it protects the backs of the headlight and foglight from water / mud / dust etc.

Graham

How in the heck did you manage an XK8 in the Yucatan?! Love it! Lucky it is ONLY missing a few plastic bits! :) MC

I bought it recently from a guy who crashed it and didnt want the hassel of repairs...

It's a great car for here, with the weather, plus it's the the only one I have ever seen here so I get a lot of admiring looks which of course I like [alot].