With both front wheels off of the ground, it is normal for the steering rack to move when horizontal/side-to-side force is applied to either tire, but the metallic clunk doesn't sound normal. It would be worth investigating that more closely for the source of the clunk. Do you notice any play in the steering wheel while driving?

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks for your reply Don. No play in the steering while driving, also no play in the steering when both wheels on the ground and car is static.

Got to add: It doesn’t seem to be play or move in the axles or the tie rods - neither inner nor outer. Seems like it’s in the power steering itself.

It‘s also no real „play“. When I horizontally move the jacked up front right wheel then it’s directly transferred to the steering wheel which moves the same way (in combination with the clunk).

But when I do the same with the jacked up left wheel there is no „play“ at all. Neither at the wheel nor at the steering wheel.

I don‘t know about the construction of the specific power steering of the XJ. Is that „play“ normal and part of the construction?

 

Here's another test you can try: with the car raised, either on ramps or jack stands, reach up and wrap a hand around the steering column. Twist it clockwise and counterclockwise and try to detect any play in the pinion of the steering rack and listen to see if your clunk is coming from the pinion housing of the rack. Also, shine a light up on the lower steering column U-joints. Here's the parts diagram showing the two U-joints:






Cheers,

Don