Originally Posted by XK8 Rebel

As was noted the tabs tuck under the trunk lid (er boot) to hold your cover in place and to keep it from flapping about and possibly damaging the paint or blowing away if the snaps let go. The rods keep the tabs from pulling through the gap between the trunk and the rest of the bodywork. However, when I got my XK8, it was missing the cover. I located a factory one of the correct color on ebay but of course it was missing the rods and caps. What worked well for me were a couple of short pieces of rubber fuel line cut to protrude slightly from the edges of the tabs. 5/16 inch diameter if I recall correctly. Fit snugly but with the rubber outer skin of the hose, it doesn't slide about or fall out of the tabs. Plus being soft and hollow, they can crush without any worry of them damaging something like a gasket or edge of the body work if it were to become pinched inadvertently. I put them in a couple of years ago and haven't had to fiddle with them since.

Originally Posted by jagophile

Still new to the XJ8 I am wondering what these straps or nylon hooks on the soft top cover do? Is there something that threads through the loop? There are three of these loops on the cover and it seems like it should connect to something...

Originally Posted by jagophile

Hey, thanks to all who answered my question. I really like Rebel's suggestion to use rubber fuel line, as I can imagine bending my trunk or bonnet lid on a solid dowel. In my case the 1/2 inch outside diameter line holds solidly in place. I'm posting a picture here with white paper behind it for visibility. It works great as the cover cannot pull out with these in place. I very much appreciate these fine suggestions.