Clearly completely different setup to same AJ16 based x300 where you set this up with track rod ends only. Greg I assume this also applies to facelift?

 

yes, all XJSs
Greg

 

Appreciate all of the responses.

1. The car has been like this for a while since new tires were purchased. Tires have a little more than 6K miles. Tires have been rotated by the dealer once already at 5K. Steering wheel has been slightly off center all this time. It has bugged me and that is how I got into this current POST!!!!
2. The car always runs straight wether my Hand is on or off the steering wheel
3. No wear issues with the tires
4. Rack has not been touched, have a small leak which has stopped with some leak repair
5. I already made a small tool to unarm the air bag
6. The “AIRBAG HAS BEEN DISARMED”. Today!!
7. Tomorrow I plan to remove the steering wheel and shift it a couple of splines to centralize and hopefully It will be “OEM” (quote from Goonzsquad). I really enjoy watching those two (2) kids.

Will let all of you know the results of my decision......Good or Bad!!!

Again, This forum is unbelievable....Lot’s of talent!!


My old Mercedes forum was good but you folks are the best!!!

Softball60/Paul

 

I had an alignment done on my 96 XJS, I got the car back and the steering wheel was way off! Took it back, and they were able to center it.

I can't imagine that this fix required the steering wheel to be removed and reset.

 

it never should, you had it done correctly.

 

Vee,

You are probably correct.
Immediately after having the tires installed I went on a four thousand mile trip with the CAT. Got used to it being off slighty.

After returning from my trip with adding another 1K miles went in for the tire rotation. After discussing the steering wheel
Being off center were willing to correct......For a price.......I said no and left. Said I would do it myself.

Stubborn Old Italian!!!!!

Here I am.... doing it myself with.... all your help


Softball60/Paul

 

Paul,

First of all my thanks to Greg for adding so much more detail to my statement that you must centralise the rack first. This is true on any car. On the XJS it's easy because of the alignment slot in the rack. If a car doesn't have a similar slot(I'm not sure about x300?) then you can do it by disconnecting the track rod ends (thus avoiding any lock stop restraints), accurately counting the number of turns lock to lock, and then counting half the turns from either left or right lock. However, you do it, you ALWAYS centralise the rack even if it's just to otherwise stop the PAS "fighting" the rack when going straight.

I know that it must feel so tempting to just remove the steering wheel and move it a few splines. And it MAY be this is necessary. But it's a lot of effort to remove that airbag as you'll know if you've read the procedure. So, my polite suggestion (even if it's just to humour Greg and me!) is to centralise the rack and look at the steering wheel position. It is really easy to do, honestly! If it's then off centre, you have a spline alignment problem and will need to remove the airbag and wheel. But IF it's straight, the problem MUST lie elsewhere, for example distorted tyres, bent rims, track rod end adjustment etc.

Good luck!

Paul

 

Ptjs,

Thanks for the response.

The fear of the airbag was very heavy on my mind.

But the act of disarming was simple (once over the fear). It took 10minutes to fabricate the extraction tool......this was the most difficult portion. It took longer to get the plastic cover out of the way.

In my earlier post I will realign the steering wheel tomorrow and that I would post the good or bad of the immediate test drive.

Thanks

Softball60/Paul

 

To All,

Completed my task

1. Disarmed air bag
2. Removed air bag from system. The idea of a land mine scares me a bit. Cat was built in July 1995 but sold as 1996. That means the air bag is going on 25yrs. I was in Vietnam in 2007 being property for a new plant. We had land mines on the property from the Vietnam War. VERY SCARY PROPOSITION!!
3. Moved the steering wheel over a couple of splines
4. Test drove the car, goes straight with or without my hands on the wheel.
5. Plan on replacing the steering rack in the near future.
6. Will have a complete alignment accomplished after rack is installed.

Thanks to all for the help.

Softball60/Paul