Hello All,

I have a LHD 1989 Jaguar XJS. My steering rack developed a serious leak and was in need of a rebuild.

I decided to order a rebuilt steering rack. Pictured below is the rebuilt steering rack (silver) and my old power steering (black). I have verified both steering racks are Adwest "POW-A-RACK" steering racks and the steering rack dimensions are the same.






I am a hobbyist mechanic and enjoy working on my Jaguar and this is my first time replacing a steering rack on any vehicle.

This may be a dumb question, but I am lost on why the inner tie rods between the racks are different lengths?

Using the steering tower as a reference point, there is about a two inch difference in length among the inner tie rods between both racks (tried to demonstrate this with the purple lines). However the overall length between the racks + tie rods are the same (yellow line).



Can the difference in tie rod lengths be potentially due to one rack being centered and the other not? Not sure what else as I believe the inner tie rods are identical parts for both sides.

 

Looks like a turn off center. If you look opposite the pinion, you will see a cap with a 5/16” hex head plug (or a grease fitting of same hex). Remove it, and stick the shank end of a 3/16” drill bit in with light pressure. Then rotate the pinion until you feel the bit drop a slight amount. That is center.

 

I appreciate the prompt reply. Can the same centering be achieved using a wrench and turning the spline on the steering tower? Thank you!

 

Yes you turn the pinion to center it, just as the column would turn it.