[xj-s] Top hits back of seat - '94 2+2

I’ve had this problem all along but worried about other
problems first. When I put the top down (and I guess up but
haven’t noticed), part of it rubs against the back of the
head rests of the back seat. As I mentioned earlier, the
only other problem with top operation is that the right side
latch stops about a half inch back of the place to connect it
and has to be pulled into place. Please tell me there is an
easy way to correct this. :slight_smile:

TIA
Tony–
94 XJS 4.0L 2+2 Convertible
KS, United States
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Well, if you don’t already know, it is a common problem (if that makes
you feel any better…)On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 3:52 PM, TexChappy cptzippy@kc.rr.com wrote:

I’ve had this problem all along but worried about other
problems first. When I put the top down (and I guess up but
haven’t noticed), part of it rubs against the back of the
head rests of the back seat. As I mentioned earlier, the
only other problem with top operation is that the right side
latch stops about a half inch back of the place to connect it
and has to be pulled into place. Please tell me there is an
easy way to correct this. :slight_smile:

TIA
Tony

94 XJS 4.0L 2+2 Convertible

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In reply to a message from Steve G sent Fri 14 Oct 2011:

I guess misery loves company. Does the commonness portend to
solution however? I did a search but I’ll have to try some
different phrases as ‘top hit backseat’ only turned up one
unanswered thread related to what I’m seeing.–
The original message included these comments:

Well, if you don’t already know, it is a common problem (if that makes
you feel any better…)


94 XJS 4.0L 2+2 Convertible
KS, United States
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Hi Tony,

I don’t have a convertible so can’t offer any solution from my
experience.

This thread offers two solutions:

George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: TexChappy cptzippy@kc.rr.com

Does the commonness portend to
solution however?

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As far as I know this will happen eventually on every convertible XJS of
that era, it certainly has always been that way with mine. Its an area I
always eyeball when judging too, and some kind of mark is almost always
present on a car that has the top actually down once in a while.

The only solutions suggested to me are a new top and re fitting the window
to prevent this from happening, but eventually as it wears it will happen
again.

I use my hand to gently guide it over the seatback, but ive already replaced
the section that it rubs at least once.

Good luck

Daniel
1995 XJS 4.0
1994 XJ12----- Original Message -----
From: “TexChappy” cptzippy@kc.rr.com
To: xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: [xj-s] Top hits back of seat - '94 2+2

In reply to a message from Steve G sent Fri 14 Oct 2011:

I guess misery loves company. Does the commonness portend to
solution however? I did a search but I’ll have to try some
different phrases as ‘top hit backseat’ only turned up one
unanswered thread related to what I’m seeing.

94 XJS 4.0L 2+2 Convertible
KS, United States

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In reply to a message from Daniel Arsenault sent Fri 14 Oct 2011:

I saw this problem addressed here some time past. There was a
mention of adjusting the pivot hardware on the rub side hood
frame. Had something to do with the back window shifting down over
time.–
1995 XJS AJ16 Conv 2+2
Central Louisiana, United States
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In reply to a message from TexChappy sent Fri 14 Oct 2011:

had same issue on my 95 2 + 2…finally, my mechanic fixed
it. the top’s main side frame is bolted to the outer ledge
under the carpet ( the bay where the top folds into) and
behind the side inner roof liner. it had slid just enough
to let the top hit the seat back. he tightened the bolt
after sliding it just a tiny bit, and problem gone. He said
it was barely any distance; but it worked. Have operated
the top many times since, no problem and now clears seat by
about 1/4 inch. Was a problem ever since buying the car 6
years ago; now, if it happens again, I know how to fix
it…needless to say, top has to be up and fastened in place
and you need somebody small enough to get in there! ( this
is on the original top and rear window; never changed).
good luck.–
The original message included these comments:

I’ve had this problem all along but worried about other
problems first. When I put the top down (and I guess up but
haven’t noticed), part of it rubs against the back of the
head rests of the back seat. As I mentioned earlier, the


Dave H.
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Dave,

Please pardon me for appearing exceptionally stupid, but I can’t get the location of this adjustment bar in my mind. Is is on the side of the car & if so, which side.

Thanks in advance!

Earl Kiker
89 XJS Conv/Lucas
97 VDP

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In reply to a message from Earl Kiker sent Sat 15 Oct 2011:

Earl,

understand! so hard to describe this stuff…

my car top hit the back of the rear headrest on the driver’s
side; if you’re in the back seat with the top up, reach into
the recess well where the top stores, and the frame bar is
behind the side liner. Trace the frame bar down to where it
is connected to the shelf, and there is where is a small
bracket attaching the frame bar to the shelf. It apparently
is adjustable very slightly; and, with time, comes out of
it’s proper spot.

My guy just pulled up the carpet a bit, pushed aside the
side liner fabric, and it is directly beneath that frame
bar; close to the seat back and all the way to the outside
edge of the inner shelf…
lots of words; does this help?

Mine is a 95, but assume all are similar; my mechanic moved
it barely 1/8 or 1/16 and tightened; voila, fixed and no
problem.–
Dave H.
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In reply to a message from TexChappy sent Fri 14 Oct 2011:

I corrected this problem on my 95 by removing the useless
rest seat and installing a storage compartment.–
'95 XJS 4.0 2+0 Convertible Sapphire/Cream
Canton, GA, United States
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In reply to a message from xjsjagman sent Sat 15 Oct 2011:

My kiddos get mad when I stow them in storage compartments
though.–
The original message included these comments:

I corrected this problem on my 95 by removing the useless
rest seat and installing a storage compartment.


94 XJS 4.0L 2+2 Convertible
KS, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

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I had the exact same problem on my 94. In my was the bearings in the parts
that attach to the rear window had started to seize. I just removed the
parts and exercised the bearings with plenty of WD40. It has been fine for
10 years.

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