Jaguar XK8 / XKR Headrest Fix

[@garygray5109]

After watching several of these headrest fix videos, yours was clearly the best. The details on exactly how to release the leather was by far the easiest to follow. The "official" Jag method is definitely inferior to just removing the end cap and reattaching it.

[@ccuk]

Thankyou so much for your words. I was inspired to make the video for that exact reason. I am really happy to hear that it helped you.

[@johnhughes9795]

I've been putting off this job for 2 years and followed your video last week. It's was much simpler than I anticipated, First seat took me about 1.5 hours, second about 45 minutes.Great video thank you.

[@pedrofernandez6599]

Great solution, worked perfectly, and better than the OEM recommendation. Saved me a ton of time. Thanks!!!

[@ccuk]

Hi Pedro. Thanks for your comment and I am happy to hear it helped.

[@Paul-tk2my]

Thank you. Haven’t got a separate headrest on mine but was keen to see how to get in

[@timdady4660]

Saturday Morning, Coffee in hand thinking what am I going to do today. I know I will fix the headrests on my XK8 , watch video again, off to garage and 3 hrs later driver side done, passenger seat out and after a spot on lunch I will fix said seat. Thank you very much for easy explanation and giving me the confidence to tackle this. Cheers

[@ccuk]

Thanks Tim for your comment. There is now a smile on my face. I was apprehensive to tackle it because I had never removed leather before. I am really happy it helped you. 😀😀

[@timdady4660]

@@ccuk Passenger seat finished and working it took 1/2 the time of the drivers seat ,now to tackle a convertible dirty roof liner. Regards

[@ccuk]

@@timdady4660 Good to know you got it done so quickly. Let me know how you get on with your roof liner. I think mine is quite clean. Your going to make me go and look now 😀

[@timdady4660]

@@ccuk ,Dirty was an understatement , most of Sunday cleaning it, I can only think the previous owner had the roof down without using the cover. Still needs a bit more elbow grease.

[@ccuk]

@@timdady4660 it will be well worth the hard work. These cars are with the love.

[@raygee2719]

Thanks for the Video, Had problems with the passengers headrest not working but thought it was too much of a pain to repair, watched your video and took the plunge. Seat out, repaired and back in al within an hour.

[@ccuk]

That is great to hear Ray. I am glad it helped.

[@240867ab]

Many thanks for your walkthrough, it worked a treat.

[@ccuk]

I am really happy to hear it helped someone. Thanks for the comment !!

[@craigs9798]

Worked very well. I used 2 pieces of heat shrink tubing with an adhesive lining to strengthen the bond between the metal cap and the wire. Thanks, great video.

[@ccuk]

I am glad it helped you. Thank you for commenting😀

[@ccuk]

I think your idea to add strength to the ferrule is great. I wish I had done that although the repair has been a full success so far.

[@robertcollin802]

Brilliant

[@ccuk]

I am glad you liked it Robert.

[@petersiklosi1966]

Great video, thank you. I have the same issue with the headrest, it’s stuck in the down position, but I won’t fix it. I’m 6 foot tall, but still the headrest is in perfect position where it is now, so why bother. But it’s good to know that it would be this easy.

[@ccuk]

Thanks for you comment.

[@westboundbadger]

Great vid,very clear and to the point,i might try this as both mine are not working, I also have a passenger airbag light on,is that an easy fix too?

[@ccuk]

Thanks for your comment, it is really appreciated. As for the air bag issue, I have not experienced that before. There is a lot of info on the forums though. I think usually it is a bad electrical connection that can be fixes by cleaning the connectors.

[@ccuk]

Let me know how you get on.

[@westboundbadger]

@@ccuk The connections to the module under the seat?,..Just wish it was a bit warmer,or that i had a garage !!

[@ccuk]

@@westboundbadger the forums seem to suggest the connections under the seat are often the problem. I have the same issue with the weather as you. I have a garage but the car boot sticks out the back. I am longing for spring to come.

[@johncooper7242]

.. I can also get my car in the garage with the boot sticking out but unfortunately its so narrow that I cannot open the doors to exit the car ....! why do we accept such penny pinching construction in the UK . Excellent tutorial/ guide clear and detailed

[@ianconnor7983]

Thanks for making this video, it's very well made and clear. The headrest in my XKR 2002 passenger seat is stuck in the uppermost position and will not retract. Before I take the seat out and attempt this mod, can you advise whether it will resolve my problem or does it apply only to cases of fully retracted lowermost down position that won't move upward?

[@ccuk]

I suspect it won't fix it. Can you hear the motor working when you use the seat adjuster switches or when you move the seat backrest forward to gain access to the rear seats. If you hear the motor working without the headrest moving then this repair is worth a go. If you cannot hear the motor working them there is something else wrong. Possibly a fuse or the seat controller......but I'm not an expert on it.

[@ianconnor7983]

@@ccuk Thanks for your very prompt reply - greatly appreciated. The motor definitely works and is activated by both the seat control adjuster switch and the seat backrest forward lever. Just no mechanical engagement with the motor drive. I can't push the headrest downwards or remove it by gentle force (don't want to risk breaking anything). So I will take your advice and give it a go. One possibility is that the mod may have already been done by somebody previously and has failed, that being the case it should be apparent. Another point is that I may have to remove the leather completely off the seat back to see what's what - hope that will be straight forward. Anyway I'll report back once I get round to having a go.........thanks again.

[@ccuk]

@@ianconnor7983 I would expect you won't have to do any more than I've shown in the video. Good luck and let me know how you get on.

[@Montagne76]

Hi, did you consider making a claim with Jaguar instead and let them repair it? It does state on the TSB for this: Warranty claims should be submitted quoting the information found in the table below. This will result in payment of the stated time and, where applicable parts/miscellaneous expense codes as listed. Description SRO Time Causal Part Number Head restraint cable adjustment - Service fix 76.94.97 0.4 hrs. GJE4770CA

[@ccuk]

Hi, I had not thought about that. I don't know if they would accept a claim on a car that is 17 years old. It might be worth a go though. Thanks.

[@lib556]

Ummm. I think I'll just leave my headrest stuck where it is for the time being... Great tip, but, I'm too scared to monkey around with detaching leather etc...

[@ccuk]

Thank you for your comment. I felt the same as you initially because I was worried about garaging the leather. But after reading that so many people had done it themselves I gave it a go. I was surprised how easy it was. I think Jaguar only charged an hours labour to perform the repair themselves.

[@mv-photo]

For some reason before watching this my thought was you’ll just need to take the headrest off and fiddle with it a bit.... 😱😆 Gladly mine isn’t ‘broken’ yet, but I’ve probably just jinxed myself. 😢

[@ccuk]

I hope yours does not break, but if it does the repair is far easier than you might expect. Taking off the leather cover is not hard. I was nervous that the leather would not go back in place properly and would look creased, but you cannot tell that it has been refitted. I am very pleased. Maybe yours has been repaired already by a previous owner? :)