I have been having intermitant issues with the steering for some time. It will be normal for weeks then it will go stiff like the power steering is not working properly,
Sometimes it will be heavy the whole trip, sometimes only for a moment or a few minutes.

I had the rack reconditioned, and have had the power steering pump rebuilt. I have been back to the guy that rebuilt them and he flushed the system and put in fresh fluid just in case some swarf was stuck in the rack or pump. Checked the pressure release valve and all seems to be good.

He suggested the problem maybe in one of the universal joints, looking for input before I spend anymore on parts.
Or ideas of what else to look at in the steering column.


I am pretty sure the car has had the S3 steering rack upgrade, as when I gave the guy the rack to rebuild it was NFG so I gave him my spare which I was told came out of an S3 and it was the same as the one I had removed from the car.(Also looks the same as the one in my 1985 XJS)

Can anyone confirm from my pics it is a series 3 rack.



These are the two universals, he assumes the one connecting to the rack is the problem.

 

Not much in the column to bind like you describe.

The joints, maybe, but usually a "tight spot", not as you describe.

Slide the cotter bolt out, slip that double joint off the spline, and feel if there are rough spots. I have not had issues with that item on any of mine.

Intermitant is a mongrel.

The pressure valve in the pump, yep, had a few of them go hissy over the years. Hard to test unless it drops off teh game 100%.

Belt slippage, lots of that one. Causes weird steering reactions, its that slight.

Not a fan of the snake oil, but the X300 got a whole lot better with a squirt of the Lucas Power Steer stuff.

 

New pumps from Rockauto are pretty cheap. After Grant's points, my money is on a malfunctioning pressure valve in the pump, or a malfunctioning rack. If you cannot find anything, start with the pump, say I.

 

Grant and Greg, I have just been on the phone to the local mechanic who organised the rebuild and fitted the rebuilt rack and pump. (had to use the local mobile mechanic as I was injured at the time the job was done)

He, like me, Dr Phill, and both of you are of the opinion it is the pressure valve. We have been down the track of talking to the power sreering guy and he has assured us it is not the case.
Even to the point of me driving an hour to take the car to him to look at.

The mechanic is going to take it up with him tomorrow and hopefully have the pump looked at or replaced before I remove the steering column.

If it comes to that I just discovered I have a lower universal joint off my spare rack to try next. Which feels perfect, the mechanic also said the one in my car felt perfect when he fitted the rack.

 

That's a S1 rack. They have a tall valve body, and hose that wrap around and enter the rack from the rear.

Later racks have short tower, and hoses enter straight in from the front.

The steering columns for each must be used, as one is longer.

FYI, swapping in a later rack, column and hoses is a nice improvement, as the later racks have less boost which improves "feel".

Good luck,

Rob

 

is that mechanical leverage in the rack or higher PSI from the pump.

Air bubble?

Jack up the nose and run the engine, turn steering wheel lock to lock a few times.

Or find some space and cut a few figure eights. More fun!!

Carl

 

Carl, I have done quite a few fugure 8's on the grass. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. No consistancy what soever.

 

Racks have 2 valves and 2 fluid circuits. each one operates in it's respective direction, left or right. Almost zero chance both have failed at the same time so if you loose assist in both direction at the same time then this would suggest a fluid pressure or volume issue. Replace the pump and belt. Unlikely but If that doesn't resolve the issue dissemble the rack and check for debris in the pressure supply port.

 

This is a matter of opinion and personal preference.
If 2 or 3x the effort to turn "improves feel" some may agree. As all modern cars have heavy steering, most will prefer this because that's all they know. Those of us who prefer light steering don't agree. S3 rack is heavy-handed in my opinion and does Not give the same feed-back for those accustomed to light steering.

I was seriously disappointed when I changed to the S3 rack as I lost my one-finger steering and subtle feed-back with it. I've got used to it now, which is not the same as liking it.
(';')

 

On my Saab c900 the steering uj is pretty close to the exhaust which I suspect is also the case for LHD jag
I had similar symptoms, common in the Saab which were cured by a good clean out of the gunk and regreasing with high temp or copper grease

 

RHD, So steering is opposite of engine bay to exhaust.

Pump is coming out tomorrow and going back to reconditioner for a once over and replace pressure relief valve.

 

The guy took the pump apart, checked it over and cleaned it out. Replaced the pressure release valve and increased the psi. Bench tested and checked flow rate.
He supplied an inline filter for the return hose. I will get it back in and see where I am at now.

 

Good news is the pump is back in, bad news is the problem is still there.

 

Bugga.

Not sre if this helps.

Way back, on the MK X, it got hissy in the steer, juddering etc. TOTALLY different set up.

BUT

Eventually I found a "flap" of the lining of the return hose was acting like a valve, obviously done when the hose was pushed onto the spigot, and was interrupting the return fluid.
Never seen that before.
New section of hose, problem gone.

Maybe, maybe not.

 

New hoses fitted.




Had a long chat with Gary at Jag1, he also points the finger at the rack or pump.
But he is supplying an upper steering column and universal joint for me to fit to see if something in the column is the issue.
He says, like everyone else it is unlikely to be the lower column which I have two of. Going to swap that at the same time.

That way everything has been swapped, if the problem is still there the rack comes out again and goes back to the reconditioner.

 

M y money is on the rack itself, now.

 

Yeah, Rack is my vote.

Too bad. that pump and filter are so pretty!!!

The upper column might have a bushing issue of a sort. We will see if a replacement fixes the issue. Hope hope so!



If not, wild card. The dampener slips and the pump fails to deliver enough PSI at a brief moment.

Mine had a hissy. but it went away?? Spewed some fluid. Then no more. Oh, yes, plenty in the remote resevoir. But, no miles. I am in quarantine...

Carl

 

Fingers crossed my steering column arrives tomorrow. I paid for an overnight courier service 11 days ago.
The tracking says it was going to be delivered today.
It arrived at Brisbane airport 10 days ago. (Less than 10 minutes drive from my work)

 

After 13 months and $2000 problem solved. There was a collapsed bearing in the bottom of the steering column.
Rack and pump needed a rebuild anyway. Steering feels better than it ever has.












Problem now is the lock nut for steering wheel adjustment won’t lock, any ideas?
done up tight and I can slide steering wheel in and out

 

Be buggered.

A first for everything, and Clarke, you have to be the one.

Well found all the same.