Hello everyone,
My newly acquired 1998 XJ8 is running well but I have a general question about the steering.
I know I am used tofront wheel drive and I will have to re learn driving a rear wheel drive, also the roads here in Michigan have been occasionally a bit slick,however I have been driving sensibly on the Interstate but it seems that the steering is 'jumpy' and light, lively almost 'jerky'. I wouldn't say the car exactly hugs the road and sometimes, for example when changing lanes and going over the white lines on the road seems to slip a little, which rquires a quick correction. The car needs careful monitoring as you drive down the Interstate and almost leaves you on edge. Are there any common symptoms that cause this, tracking etc, or is it the same with all XJ8's. Is the steering sensitivity adjustable?
Any help would as ever be great, thanks for all the advice in the past.
Michigan.

I would look to make sure the shocks aren't leaking. Also look at the front control arm bushings, lower,
make sure your tires are in good shape, tread depth and any unusual wear, especially the inside. After that you may want to get the alognment checked. Does the car pull when you let go of wheel? If so, swap front wheels side to side and see if it pulls other way. This would indicate tire problem.
After checking these, repost and let us know.

the XJ8 ( X308 ) is very sensitive to several things with relation to the wheels/steering

first of all, check the condition of the tyres, these tend to wear on the inside edge which cant normally be seen unless you get up-close and personal, if worn you need replacements, reason for wear can come from several direction, most common is the tracking ( tow in and out ) this needs to be done by the dealership and by laser, as the rear has to be weighted down and all four wheels set up, standard garages tend not to want to do Jags, and arnt set up correctly for them.........

once you have new ( or good enough ) tyres, and you know the tracking is good, then you have to monitor the tyre pressures, they are very sesetive to these, and if the wrong pressure is in they will want to ' tram-line ' which is what you are experiencing,pressures can be found in the hand book, or on a label inside the drivers door....

also remember your car has electro assisted power steering which is also speed sensitive, this varies the input depending on the speed,

hope some of this helps

BB

btw, the car will also act very differently on different brands of tyres, Pirelli P6000's are the oem tyres for this car ( in the UK anyway )

Thanks for the responses, I am monitoring tyre pressures and wear closely. Since getting the car the temp here in Michigan has varied from -16 C to +16 C, mainly hovering below zero for February! Tyre pressures thus are my first area to monitor.
Thanks,
Michigan.