So my Jag developed a handeling problem on the way to work this morning... Don't really know how to describe the problem. It's not making any noises except some rattling in the front end that started about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Going over bumps, the front end feels very light. At highway speeds the suspension isn't reacting to bumps in it's usual way. It seems to want to steer around them. Can't tell if it's front or back.

What should I visually check to narrow it down?

 

Or at least, where should I start looking?

 

Shock absorber bushings, especially the uppers, crumble away to nothing. This makes a obnoxious noise and would naturally reduce the effectiveness of the shocks to some degree but, although worth checking, I'm not sure if it would account for your steering problem.

The "could" be list might include...

-Steering rack bushings
-Worn control arm bushings causing a shift in suspension geometry
-Worn/loose tie rod ends
-Incorrect wheel alignment
-Loose wheel bearings

Others will eventually chime in with more ideas

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Doug.

I finally, after a 12 hour day, got a chance to look underneath the car and I think I found my problem. The steering rack is missing what looks to me like a mounting bolt on the RH side. So it's only connected to the frame on one side, essentially only steering one wheel. EEK!

Case of ask questions first, shoot later, I guess... Will this be something my mechanic can just bolt back together with minimal fuss? I'll have it towed over in the morning.

And my sincerest apologies on the gross spelling mistakes in the thread title, I posted from my phone.

 

SInce you mention it ... fixed.