We're now in the process of replacing various segments of the body-rubber on our car. Next in line are the Door Post Seals XKs part number 18-2015 and it apperas to me that it will be necessary to remove the doors to access that area for removal of the old ones and install new ones. I would be interested in hearing the experiences of anyone who has accomplished this project. It looks like a two-person project to me. Thanks!

Submitted by tvtom@sbcglobal.net on Fri, 10/19/2012 - 13:43

Edited on 2012-10-24 18:47:09

After I removed the door inside panel I could then remove the door-travel-stop strap and could pivot the door outward sufficiently to access the rubber seal. After I removed the petrified 1963 rubber over the door opening I saw that there is a retainer strip pop rivited and screwed to the body over the door opening. That would require the rubber to have a T shaped rear surface which Part # 2015 does not have or you could follow the procedure suggested by Phil. With the Retainer removed, one could glue the #2015 in place but I have attempted to leave the car in as close as possible to original condition. May have to bite the bullet.

In my Jaguar Spare Parts Catalogue Pub.# J.30 I find the lower rubber strip listed with two different part number sets for the Fixed Head Coupe. Page 271 Plate 48 Item 31 lists them as 25308 RH and 25309 LH. Page 273 Plate 50 item 10 lists them as 18559 RH and 18560 LH. I'm confused! :-)

Submitted by tvtom@sbcglobal.net on Tue, 10/09/2012 - 13:04

Thanks. Thomas. Our car was originally painted white but the original owner, Robert Kelly, had all his vehicles painted Kelly Green. So there should be some very definite outlines for re-alignment.

Submitted by coventryclassi… on Tue, 10/09/2012 - 12:00

Phil, if you remove the doors, realy not that bad of a job. Use masking tape around the hing at the cowl to make re-alighnment easy. Probly have marks in the paint that will help to get it back in same location. Might also be a good time to better the door fit if not perdect now. Doors are light and can be supported on a plastic milk carton with a pad or blanket to keep from scratching the paint.

Submitted by phil19564@1usa.com on Mon, 10/08/2012 - 12:48

With the door panel off to give easier access, there's a thin curved strip with 3 rivets holding it to the vertical body edge. It forms half of the "U" channel that the rubber is glued to. If you drill out the rivets and remove the strip, you can glue the rubber to the strip first (measure location carefully), then insert the strip/rubber back in place and re-rivet it in.

That metal strip was added around 1963, so if yours is earlier and the "U" channel is a welded part of the car, i've carefully applied glue to the channel from the top and bottom with a long shaft (screwdriver works), then apply glue to the rubber at that area. Attatch a long wire to the rubber end and pull it down the channel till it reaches it's proper place. You will have excess glue to clean up. Lots of it.

Or, take off the door and fiddle with re-aligning the door to the body when you're finished.

Phil.