I have a 1991 XJ40 3.2 and it failed its MOT with:
"Steering rack insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings"
After ordering what I thought would be the correct steering rack moun

ting bush kit from ebay, I have discovered that there is more than one type of steering rack for the XJ40. My mechanic, Scot, has given me a picture of the part needed. In the picture the part is at the bottom and looks a bit like a fishing reel.

Does anyone here know where I might find 2 of these? Or do I need the whole steering rack? I spoke to SNG Barratt and they can recondition them for about £750, but that's not really an option for me.
Thanks!
Daryl

 

I see you've had a mechanic look at it. Ok, good. But if I read the problem description correctly, doesn't that just mean the rack assembly is loose on the car at its mount bolts? Just throwing it out there.
Some years back I replaced mine for an aggressive leak. I was able to find a rebuilt one on eBay for about $250 (at the time of course). Good luck!

 

Thanks Jerry, that's a good point, it could just need tightening up. In my conversation with the MOT garage though, he said I needed new bushes as it, the steering rack, was sliding left to right. I'm having the work done at a different garage, so when I get it back down there I will put that to him.

In the meantime, I have found the right bushes for the steering rack mounts here:
https://www.britishparts.co.uk/class...ount-kit-p1359
And after speaking to them, they told me there was only ever one type of steering rack ever fitted to the XJ40. So I'm confused about what I had ordered before...

 

As I recall it was 2 companies making essentially the same unit but I am not sure. I definitely recall a wide range of prices even on new not rebuilt ones. If you do need to rebuild yours I would suggest replacing it due to the relative ease of the job. 4 bolts, 2 tie rods, 2 hoses. And you'll probably want an alignment either way.

 

There are two racks fitted, the 1991 car uses the Adwest brand rack, late cars the ZF brand.

AFAIK they are not interchangeable without at minimum a steering column modification.

Larry

 

Maybe that's why I don't remember. It didn't affect me. ?

 

Thanks Lawrence
I'm guessing that's when Ford took over. Am I right in thinking that they then used the ZF rack in the XJ40 replacement, the X300?

 

Could be ..all I know is that my 94 has a ZF rack in it

Larry