Hi Good folks


A quick question. Has anyone repaired/refurbished a 97 xj6 (X300) power steering pump?


I'd be interested in getting some feedback. So please feel free to chime in with any ideas or comments


BigBossRadion in Dallas, TX

 

Hi Big Boss,

This might not help you much, but FWIW when I bought my '97 3 years ago, I had a local Jag mech. give it the once-over. He found a minor leak in the PS and he told me the PS pump is integral with the rack, and to refurbish the pump the rack must be removed. Apparently this changed from the XJ40 set up where I understand the pump could be worked on separately.

I'm sure others will either confirm or correct this. Either way I'd also be interested in more views about refurbishing the pump for the long term.

As my leak was very, very minor I decided to try Lucas Stop Leak. The leak virtually disappeared after about 3,000kms. Not sure how long that will last!

Cheers,

 

Hi Tony


Thanks for that input. I will keep you posted


BigBoss TX

 

I can't help with rebuild info but I can confirm the pump is not integrated with the rack. Pump is in picture - a long way from the rack .

 

Yes, the pump is a separate unit. Before you consider rebuilding or replacing it, make certain that your leak is from the pump and not from the hose or rack. I thought my pump had a leak and it turned out to be the outer seal on the rack that was leaking.

 

Hmm, that's useful. I've never been too knowledgeable about the steering set up and I took advice at face value. Now I suspect that my leak may have been from the pinion seal and not the pump. That would probably explain why I was told the rack needs to be removed in order to repair!

 

I had a long standing leak that i finally had fixed. It turned out the pump was fine and the hoses at the fittings were leaking. You can look at one of the diagrams either on Jag classic parts or SNG Barret to see. Most of my leak could be seen on the motor mount.

 

Ok it's been a long while since i asked the question. Now that the weather is cooler I will tackle the problem........ Any guidence would be appreciated......... I think the leak may be in the rack....

 

Luckily the rack is a faily easy job on our cars. There are only 2 bolts holding the dang thing on! It's a pretty straight forward affair. I strongly suggest using locktite when reinstalling the new rack since, well there are only 2 bolts holding the dang thing on and more than a few have had steering get sloppy on em due to a loosely secured rack.

I don't know of anyone who has successfully rebuilt their own rack with a seal kit, but would seem an effort in futility, even if you had the necessary tools. And @ $200-$400 for a new refurbished assembly, that's the route which pretty much everyone goes. I still need to swap mine out as well, but filling the rack boot with lithium grease, along with running a mix of PS Fluid, and Motor Honey for increased viscosity, has slowed my leak to a negligible level. I haven't been in too much of a hurry because frankly I enjoy the more sporting steering feel that the increased viscosity fluid provides.

 

Hi Suede
Thanks for that insight........... I have not done anything with it yet....... It's a bit too cold these days.........Anyway Happy New Year......... and have a great 2015

 

thanks bimcp for enlightening those who did not know about the topic and hopefully to those who did not really know anything would have kept their silence in spite of their willing will to help, but not knowing anything about the topic is worst than not helping at all.

 

Fairly easy to rebuild the racks,surgical hands REQUIRED, make sure the center piston is still in good smooth surface, cause that is the main culprit why seals are destroyed and leaks are prominent. you need to work in a very clean environment plus you need to know how to align in reinstalling the pistons and seals, that is crucial.

send me an e mail if you want an original copy of ZF full diagram of racks. in aid of your dismantling and assembling of the whole rack including the servo.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Hi mate, did you end up tightening the fittings on the pump or replaced the hose? Cheers

 

Another common source of a leak is the hoses coming out from under the power steering reservoir

The old hoses deforms from clamp pressure and the leak gets distributed everywhere

You can cut off 1 inch of hose to fresh not crushed hose to hook back up

This would be a good time to replace the old power steering fluid as it starts to cavitate making noise at the pump

The drain / fill process like on a transmission will after 4 or 5 times refresh the fluid toward but not on % 100

This refreshing will also soften the seals in the system and help resolve any leaks in the PS system to a point

 

I no longer have the car, but I’m pretty sure I replaced the hoses and put adjustable clamps on. If I remember correctly, the OE clamps are not adjustable.