XKR closing bonnet

[paulw2500675]

I’m new here and to owning a XKR
When closing bonnet following the manual advise
ie close bonnet to within 18” and drop
the bonnet dosent latch down seems not heavy enough

When I bought the car the owner said to close bonnet
Stand at the front both hands 1/3 down from top in centre of bonnet. Push all way down with moderate force

Just worried I’m going to damage bonnet
Please advise
Thanks
Paul

[mikeanson]

Hi Paul, to be fair, I have never had a problem: hold in the centre and let go. Make sure the catches are greased. If you don't hold in the centre or drop it from high enough it might only catch on one side.

[davidr]

I agree with Mike. I close mine by the 'drop method' and it works fine. I would worry about possibly denting the bonnet by pressing on it.

[JimMann]

Hi folks, yes I was initially of the opinion that the 'drop method' was correct for the bonnet closing on the XK, or indeed any forward hinged Jaguar bonnet. However; I was 'educated' by a Jaguar Master Technician that the 'correct' method is by pushing from in front of the car with both hands either side of the power bulge, about a third of the way from the top. I always use a towel / microfibre cloth before placing hands on the bonnet paintwork and simply gently push the bonnet, which hinges easily and, in effect, drops the last part in any event. The difference in the methodologies works because anyone who may be 'vertically challenged' would be pulling the bonnet from an off-centre position, if the drop method were employed. With the gentle push from in front, it works perfectly.

Jim

[mikeanson]

Hi Jim, I probably fit into the "vertically challenged" category , but never had a problem. I'll try your method next time!

[JimboV8]

No problems here using the drop method. Perhaps the OP may need to lubricate the hinges and catches.

[Andy P]

Hi all.
Reading this thread has made me smile because when I took my XJ8 for it's first MOT in my ownership I gave the tester a right mouthful for slamming the bonnet shut.
It was only later that I read that was one of the correct ways of closing the bonnet,so the following year I appologised
I now use the drop method myself and it closes fine with a nice thud.
I do grease the catches regularly though.
Take care and stay safe.
Andy

[aaj]

Hi All
It would appear that there are two different methods of Bonnet Closing, one for the X100 series & the other for the X150 series XK/XK8/R.
In the Vehicle Care Book that was supplied with my MY 2002 XK8 page 1-7 describes the method of closing the Bonnet with the aid of 2 diagrams. The text reads “Bonnet latching: Close the bonnet to within a distance of 250 to 300 mm (10 to 12 inches) of the fully closed position. Place the left hand on the bonnet as shown at (A). Then pressing downwards slam the bonnet shut. This action should engage both the right-hand and left-hand latches. Should one latch fail to engage, place both hands as shown at (B) above the unlatched side and press down firmly on the bonnet until it engages.”
Diagram ‘A’ shows a hand placed approximately 8 inches from the back of, and on the center-line of, the bonnet. Diagram ‘B’ shows both hands pushing down on the bonnet over one of the latches.
Wear & tear of the bonnet struts probably makes the pushing down (part 1 of above) of the bonnet redundant & therefore the letting go method suffices.
The method described by Jim is for the X150 series as the bonnet is made from aluminium alloy and therefore the bonnet is susceptible to permanent distortion should pressure be applied to an inappropriate area.
I hope this clarifies the issue
AllanJ

[sr.davies50680]

Hi
Im having an issue when closing the bonnet as it seems to twist to the left and over hangs the wing by 20mm so im having to wrestle with the bonnet to close it, i thought it was the two new hydraulic lifters fighting against each other but after i removed them it made no difference.

Can anyone suggest where to check next?

[mike020150]

Check that the bonnet hinges haven't come loose and are causing the problem. If that's not the case, you will probably be looking for damaged components. Mike.

[MarkX]

Well you live and learn!

Jim Mann - thanks for this insight. I'd wrongly assumed the same drop method for my XK as I was shown for my XK8 by a Jaguar technician.

I'd agree with JimboV8's comments about lubrication - my XK latches do seem to like more regular lubrication but that could be a factor of where I park the car.