the steering feels real bad and fairly dangerous. With all the other issues(it is a project) I haven't been able to look at the steering rack but know it's leaking somewhere. The steering play is really bad. While driving I'm always correcting and has so much play that I feel like I almost have to turn the wheel a few inches either direction depending... to where it feels like the wheel feels solid again. Example, if I was to take a left turn onto a road, once on to that road might have to turn the wheel 5" to the right to make it track straight and feel tight again. Sorry for the long vague question/explanation.

 

The steering rack bushes have disintegrated. Straightforward replacement.

 

can it be done without removing the rack?

 

Go to Jag Lovers and download "the book". Read the section on rack bushings. This will answer all your questions.

 

will do

 

Besides the rack bushings I would bet that the suspension arm bushings are bad also. I have replacement planned for mine, but I have to do my XJ6 first. i am in the process of getting my garage back from my Wife. She's getting a large shed for her stuff. Can't wait! Don't want to tackle this in the driveway, my neighbors hate me enough already!

 

i can tell the previous owner put new struts in before I got it, so not sure if he did anything else or not. Definitely will have a look when I get under there. Jag season is coming to an end and I don't have a garage I can work in! Sounds like a spring project

 

Little question by the side: have you had some new tires fitted? Did the steering become 'vague' after that? If so, then try putting the rear wheels to the front.

I noticed on my XJS and my X308 that certain tires least to a 'floaty' front end and the need of correction over and over and over again.

 

+1 for rack bushes, polyurethane bushes here are a must and sharpen up the steering significantly without too. much NVH.

Leaks in the PS from my experience are either the JIC fittings, low pressure hose on the pump I double clamped mine and it still leaks, or if it's the rack its self then it needs refurbishing

 

nope, I'm planning on new tires in spring. I want the 215/70r15s but it's looking like the prices are more for a set than I paid for the car. Ha

Yeah im wondering if a refurbed unit might just be the way to go because of the slop and leak

 

Can someone here link to proper high quality poly bushings my shop and I have tried 3 brands still havn't found quality non chinese cheap ones.

 

I've used Superflex from the UK and they were good.
https://www.superflex.co.uk/proddeta...=SF211-0083KSS

 

The absolute best rack bushings are the JaguarSport ones. They are still available from JCP and will last a lifetime or longer.

 

+1

 

Are they rubber? Rubber used in shear is never a good thing for long life.

 

The rubber is so organised that it is not in sheer. They are a completely different design from the standard OEM bushes where, as you say, the rubber is in sheer.

 

IMO the best way to increase the life of the bushings is to fix the various oil leaks.

OTOH, it might well be easier to just replace the bushings every few years


Cheers
DD

 

My standard bushings were dry, and completely intact. However, I could easily move the rack through the full range, prying with a screwdriver. My conclusion is that the original bushings are a poor design.

Spent the last few nights changing them to poly. This job counts as "not fun" if you don't have a lift.

The ones I put in cost $20 on EBay. The brand is Nolathane. The kit looks exactly the same as the Whiteline one, and both companies have the same parent, so I suspect they are the same.

Another reason to use them is that polyurethane rubber has better oil resistance.

 

Went for the first drive with the new bushings yesterday. The steering response is vastly improved.

 

nice, I clearly need to do mine. It's already getting snowy and cold. Probably about time to find a home for the winter for it. Whelp still got a few project issues for spring.