Having purchased a "pretty" 2000 XK8 convertible in July 2013, the main priority was to deal with the rusty underbody. However, cooling system failure stemming from a cracked thermostat housing as the first problem that needed attention. Most of the hoses were replaced along with a new metal thermostat tower. Removal and refitting the lower hose connection to the radiator is not something I wish to repeat!

The various rusty bolts retaining subframe, braces etc. were coaxed out without drama in preparation for things to come and over the winter of 2013-14, with bumpers off, the underbody surface rust was dealt with, together with arresting and preventign rust in the rear wing cavities. Various brackets refurbished and a list of welding jobs established, together with the need to acquire a non rotten A-frame. Finally at the end of July, capacity came available to bring the car into "the works" for surgery.

Both subframes dropped revealed no additional surprises. At the rear, the A fame mounting bracket locations in the floor pan had rotted from the plastic bung holes, so needed a bit of cutting and plating, bottom edges of wheelarches were replaced. Fortunately, the rest of the arches are very sound. Hole was found in the back of the floor pan, and passenger side seatbelt mount needed a plate to deal with another hole in the floor. Then it was rebuilding areas of box section, rearward of the back subframe mounts, derusting and making a proper job of seam sealing to stop the water getting into the seams where it had done so much damage.

Attacking the front end, the usual area at the bottom of the spring tower had rotted and this was cut out and rebuilt using quite a lot of 2mm thick steel. Then the floor to sill reinforcer on one side needed rebuilding together with a couple of other holes in areas affected by water. All in all 19 pieces of 1.6 or 2mm steel have been cut, formed and welded.
All then painted and cavities sprayed with wax. Brake pipes replaced using Kunifer, plastic clips and hoses replaced, with the opportunity taken to re-route the brake pipes for future access to the ABS module!

Front end then re-assembled with a new take on the VEE mount, using the original metal parts, and cast polyurethane rubber, to take out some of the play inherent in the original design. Ball joints and bushes replaced.
Back to the rear end where the axle assembly with a polybushed A-frame was lifted into place and all re-assembled followed by a good spray with clear underbody wax.

All back together but the ABS light was still on, cleaning the sensor had not cleared the problem. This was eventually traced to a faulty crimp in a recently replaced ABS cable causing intermittent contact. I fitted a new connector to the cable and after driving for a short time, fault cleared so it was off for an MOT, duly passed.

As a result of the vee mount and bush changes, the car now handles and steers far better and tramlining eliminated. Now enjoyable to drive!

Next to change the transmission fluid and filter and over the winter, probably refurbish the calipers. A couple of coils are on their way out, with some under load misfire appearing on 5 & 7 when the car has been running for at least 30 minutes. I think the coils become too hot and am thinking about forced air cooling through the coil covers.

Overall, the underbody rust has largely been the reuslt of unsealed seams, unwaxed hollow sections, badly placed holes no paint on top of the e-coat primer and areas subject to "shot blast" from road grit. If caught early, not terminal. If left too late, nasty. If this car had to endure a couple more UK winters, it would have been in a very sorry state.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome to the forum sheddist,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums. Thanks for the interesting Intro.

I see you've been posting in X308 tech forum. Follow this link XK8 / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

You can also visit the UK Region forum by following this link UK - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

welcome to the forum - nice intro - you will find plenty of info and support here simply follow the links Graham has provided and enjoy!!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums sheddist,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

WOW!! So you have already had to virtually rebuild the whole car!
It should certainly be in good condition by now.

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Hi and welcome aboard, its good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums

If you need any further help with the site moving forward, please just ask any moderator, Supermoderator and we'll be glad to assist.

In the meantime, any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information

There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

Need a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<

I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.

 

Thanks Jim,
I will have a look around, and post a few pics about the what may be thought by some to be "terminal" rust issues and the Polyvee mount that is now in use.