I'm looking for some practical insight. I'm having the front end freshened up. I was going to include the rack bushings as part of that (age related...I'm not having any issues). The steering rack itself feels great but does have a minor leak (a bit of sweat but no notable fluid loss and no dripping).

Should I wait on those bushings until the rack gets worse and just replace the rack and bushings at the same time?

Just do the bushings and not worry about the rack?

Preemptively do the rack and bushings? Obviously I rather spend less money at the moment, but I'm curious on what you all thought!!

Thanks,
Doug

 

P.S. the sweating is only on the ends at the bellows if that means anything!

 

I would just do it. The poly rack bushes and the bellows are not dear and the rack will probably have to come off anyway.

 

Do the bushings now and be done with it. It might be years before the leak worsens enough to merit repair


Cheers
DD

 

Agree with Doug. If not a big dripping leak do the bushings, save some money and enjoy the ride. Do the rack later or during the winter.

 

As said, Poly bushes NOW.

Change the steer fluid for Synthetic ATF, and change it yearly, and the rack will possibly outlast you.

 

if it's of any comfort, it will be less expensive today than later.

 

Just following up, the consensus ruled and I replace the rack bushings with new poly ones. After 30 years they were basically non existent and the change in steering feel is dramatic. In fact, it's so much better that I'm fairly certain they were shot on every previous older Jag I was involved with. So THAT'S how a Jag is supposed to steer???

As for the install, the non-Jag mechanic said they were a little fussy, but not all that bad to do, even without the bushing tool.

 

Probably not all shot but "designed in" vagueness. My XJS had the same problem.
See Kirby's XJS guide.

 

We didn't have a "bushing tool," one took a bit of coaxing but we just put them in.
Steering may take a bit of getting used to, the unaccustomed Crispness and all that. When the wheel is turned the car turns NOW not after a while.
(';')