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Dear Jag community,
I have my 1986 Jag xj6 for just a few days and I have a massive leak along the system. It leaked badly that when I powered up the car fliud spilled out crazy and the tank went empty. From what I can see the leak located at the top of the pinion.
I contacted a mechanic and he said if if pinion is bad you gotta get the whole gear changed instead of replacing the seals. He said it can't be repaired or rebuilt. I'm wondering if it is true or I just haven't found the right mechanic? I wanna being this up because changing rather seals would cost me 200 in total but the whole gear will easily be like 1000 or even more and I cannot afford it. What can I do? What should my next move be?
Keith
Get a new rack if you need it, I'd have a good look at the hoses, they are more like to fail and loose fluid that fast. If it is the tower seal, bit replacement is strictly in the DIY realm. Few mechanics will do that, most dont even cut rotors anymore,
When you do get your new rack, you might be tempted to follow the instruction manual and fill the system with ATF. But you should not do that, modern "Multi Vehicle" and Dextron ATF fluid has Toluene and it will turn the seals to mush in a few weeks. Use ATF 'Type F' or older GM power Steering Fluid, I got into this with of of my friends whom I work on their car, they insisted on using ATF on a rack purchased from Coventry West. 1 year later the rack was gushing,
Last edited by icsamerica; Jan 31, 2022 at 07:52 AM.
Get a new rack if you need it, I'd have a good look at the hoses, they are more like to fail and loose fluid that fast. If it is the tower seal, bit replacement is strictly in the DIY realm. Few mechanics will do that, most dont even cut rotors anymore,
When you do get your new rack, you might be tempted to follow the instruction manual and fill the system with ATF. But you should not do that, modern "Multi Vehicle" and Dextron ATF fluid has Toluene and it will turn the seals to mush in a few weeks. Use ATF 'Type F' or older GM power Steering Fluid, I got into this with of of my friends whom I work on their car, they insisted on using ATF on a rack purchased from Coventry West. 1 year later the rack was gushing,
Hi,
Thanks for the information. therere currently two problems/questions I have. First is what does typically a power steering rack cost for a 1986 xj6? Also if I can't find the rack is there any other rack that is interchangeable?
Hi,
Thanks for the information. therere currently two problems/questions I have. First is what does typically a power steering rack cost for a 1986 xj6? Also if I can't find the rack is there any other rack that is interchangeable?
New racks are NLA. However loads of places rebuild them, just take it off the car and give it to them and a week or two later back it comes as good as new. In the UK it costs about £220 (about 300 USD).
A leaking tower seal can make a Real Mess of your engine compartment and your garage floor.
It's not all that hard to change DIY, and the seal kit is available.
Power steering pinion leak
