1998 JAGUAR X308 warning

ZINC COATED PANELS
Description
Approximately 70% of the 'body in white' (BIW) mass is made up of zinc coated panels.
• NOTE: To maintain the protective qualities of the zinc trea tment, repairs to any damaged coated area must be made as
soon as possible after the damage has occurred.
All exterior skin panels, with the exceptio n of the roof, are double side zinc plated and this coating (nominally 7,5 microns)
provides two way corrosion protection. Should the outer layer of paint become chipped with the zinc coating remain intact,
the zinc will oxidize on contact with air and being impermeable, this coat of oxidation will prevent corrosion damage of the
base metal. If the outer layer of paint and the zinc coating become damaged, the zinc rather than the base metal will react
with the air and 'sacrifice' itself to corrosion as a 'sacrificial anode'.
Welding Preparation
Contamination of the weld with resultant reduction in joint st rength increase and increased electrode tip dressing frequency
will occur zinc coating is not removed. In exceptional cases where the zinc coating must remain intact, the tip pressure and
welding current should be increased by 10 to 20%.
Where 'resistance spot welding' is employed, the zinc coatin g should be lightly abraded away on the mating surfaces and
those in contact with the electrode tips. Do not remove more zinc coating than is absolutely necessary.
Before welding, a weld-through primer or inter-weld sealer should be applied, as detailed in the Body Sealing and
Preservation manual.
Where MIG welding is used as an alternativ e to resistance spot welding for plug and butt welds or due to limited access, the
problems caused by the presence of zinc coating are much the same, with the added complication of increased weld spatter
and nozzle contamination.
Body Fillers
Conventional polyester fillers do not adhere satisfactorily to zinc plated panels, it is ther efore important that only those
products specifically designed for this application are used and the manufacturer's recommendations are followed.
Refinishing
Use only those products approved by Jaguar Cars Ltd and exercise special care on zinc coated panels.
As replacement panels ar e supplied ready primed, the only bare metal that needs to be exposed are those areas prepared
for welding etc, as decribed in 'Welding Preparation. Where any part of a panel is dressed back to the bare surface, it should
be treated with a zinc rich primer compatible with the paint application system.
GENERAL PREPARATION OF PANELS
Removal of Panels and Welds
• NOTE: Where other components must be removed for access, refer to the relevant manual section for guidance. This is
particularly important where steerin g, braking, suspension, electrical and safety systems are affected.
Expose all resistance spot welds, using a ro tary wire brush fitted to an air drill or a hand held wire brush on those that are
not clearly visible (1).
WARNING: DO NOT BURN UNDERSEAL OFF. USE A 'HOT KNIFE' OR SUITABLE SOLVENT.
Cut out spot welds using a Zipcutter or Roto-Bor (2). At this point it may be necessary to cut out the bulk of the panel using

a pneumatic saw (3).
• NOTE: On some panels, before removing the bulk with a pneumatic saw, it may be necessary to remove brazed areas and
MIG welded seams. Separate spot welded joints and remove the panel remnants.
Removal of Panels and Welds

PREPARATION OF PANEL SURFACES
WARNING: DO NOT BURN UNDERSEAL OFF. USE A 'HOT KNIFE' OR SUITABLE SOLVENT.
• NOTE: Observe all appropriate safety procedures.
Remove weld nuggets with a sander and 36 gr it disc and clean all flanges to a bright smooth finish (1). Straighten existing
panel joint edges as required.
Mark off the area of new panel and cut to size leaving approxim ately two inches overlap on the existing panel. Offer up new
panel or section, align with associated pa rts, i.e. new rear fender aligned with door / luggage compartment lid / backlight
aperture and clamp the panel into positi on.Where necessary, cut the new and orig inal panels to form a butt joint.
Release all clamps and remove the new panel. If required, apply inner panel protection and or sound insulation.
Prepare the new panel joint edges, including interior and exterior, for welding by cleaning to bright metal (1).
Apply weld-through primer or in terweld sealer(2) to all surfaces to be resistance spot welded.
Where appropriate, apply metal- to-metal adhesive or sealer (3) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

14. Remove undertray from vehicle.

15. Position camber tie down special tool 204-114 on suspension.
Fully slacken tool adjuster nut.
Position tool in center of ro ad spring and pass upper dowel through slot in suspension turret.
16. Lower front of vehicle.

17. WARNING: ENSURE THAT THE DOWEL OF TOOL 204-
114 IS CORRECTLY POSITIONED ACROSS THE SUSPENSION
TURRET SLOT.
Rotate stem of special tool 204-114 to correctly position dowel
in suspension turret slot.

18. WARNING: WHEN TIGHTENING TOOL NUT, USE LOWER
DOWEL AS A GUIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE TOOL STEM DOES
NOT ROTATE AND DISTURB POSITION OF DOWEL IN
SUSPENSION TURRET.
Tighten nut of special tool 204-114 to full extent, to achieve
suspension mid-laden position.
19. Raise front of vehicle and support on stands. refer to Section
100-02.
20. Remove front road wheels. Refer to Section 100-02.

14. Remove undertray from vehicle.

15. Position camber tie down special tool 204-114 on suspension.
Fully slacken tool adjuster nut.
Position tool in road spring and pass upper dowel through
slot in suspen sion turret.
16. Lower front of vehicle.

17. Rotate stem of special tool 204-114 to locate dowel in
suspension turret slot.
18. Lower front of vehicle.

19. WARNING: WHEN TIGHTENING TOOL NUT, USE LOWER
DOWEL AS A GUIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE TOOL STEM DOES
NOT ROTATE AND DISTURB POSITION OF DOWEL IN
SUSPENSION TURRET.
Tighten nut of special tool 204-114 to full extent, to achieve
suspension mid-laden position.
20. Raise front of vehicle and support on stands. refer to Section
100-02.