After receiving the wrong steering rack, I'm trying to determine which steering rack I need for my car.


I called the local Jag dealership, who asked me for the last 6 numbers of my VIN. They looked it up and said I need Jag p/n JLM20179E. Can anyone tell me what exactly that is? Is it a servo or non-servo rack? I presume it is a 3 bolt, non-servo rack, but verifying that would be great. No one seems to sell using a cross-ref for the factory part; they sell by description - such as 3 or 4 bolt, servo or non-servo, etc. Makes it hard to be sure I'm ordering exactly what I need.


Any help is appreciated.

 

Did you call Coventry West? They do a lot of rack rebuilding and could answer your questions, I'm sure.

That part number fits a wide variety of models including older sedans and newer and older XJS without sportspack

It doesn't have electronic valve control (if that's what they mean by 'servo') and it use 3 bolts to mount it to the car

You say you got the wrong rack. It was wrong, how?

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Doug,

What I rec'd was a "4 bolt non-servo" model. It has an entirely different mounting structure and really doesn't resemble the rack I took off the car. When I called to inform the supplier of the issue, they looked up the part and informed me it is intended to fit a 92-95 Jaguar XJ-S with 6.0L engine. Odd, since their web site says it will fit 1996 Jaguar XJS with 4.0L engine...

I believe I have a 3 bolt non-servo model, but don't want to be stuck in order/wait/receive/return mode. I've already lost 3 weeks that way and am really trying to get my car on the road. So I'm trying to see if anyone can accurately tell me what I need to order.

I did email Coventry and assume they'll reply tomorrow.

Thanks, Dave

 

IIRC the XJ-S only ever had the 3 bolt one... The XJ40 and X300 have the 'servo' version with 4 mounting points.

 

All V12 racks from the advent of the HE model (1982 or thereabouts) are interchangeable from the point of view of their fitting the subframe and hub steering arm. Later ones hats, earlier ones imperial, but this only requires a change to the steering balljoints to match the threads. All are servo-assisted. The only differences are that the power steering pump pipes themselves may not fit the rack threads or might be shaped wrongly and might have to be replaced with the rack. The other operational differences are only the level of assistance and, maybe, the quickness of the rack, but you are very unlikely to notice this. All are secured by three bolts, two done up on the driver's side, one on the passenger's; but they may well have four actual holes in the rack casting. I changed my rack from an Adwest (earlier type, imperial) to a ZF (later type, metric) with no bother.
Greg

 

Yes, mine is the ZF steering rack. I've arranged return of the 4 bolt model and was able to source a ZF rebuilt rack from a local parts store (that was a big surprise, since the 2 stores I tried, NAPA and O'Reilly's both said they show no stock and would need to special order). Auto Zone says they'll have my part at the store for me tomorrow afternoon. Guess we'll see...

I've encountered yet another parts snafu, this time with the anti roll bar links. Moog lists a few variants on their site that they claim will fit a 1996 XJS 2+2 with 4.0L engine, but none are appropriate for my car. The factory anti roll bar link part number is C46186, which is little more than a steel bar with threaded ends. Moog sells something that has round ends with bushings pressed inside. Common issue - it's very hard to find anyone with a complete line of correct parts. I was forced to source my steering/suspension parts from 18 - yes 18! - different companies, many of which have little familiarity with Jaguar in general. Even Coventry West is hit or miss, as is Jagbits and Terry's Jaguar. The local Jaguar dealer doesn't have most of what I need, either - they need to order parts, and charge an arm and a leg when they do.

Very frustrating, time consuming and expensive; heck, I had to pay $7 shipping for a tiny $6 o-ring that maybe cost 0.001 cents to produce! But I guess it is what it is.

 

That's disappointing to hear about Jagbits. At their prices, I always assumed that they were top notch for service and knowledge.

JDHT should be your first stop. I'm always amazed at how quickly the orders are received from the UK! There is a premium for shipping, but if you put enough parts in, it becomes much easier to swallow. I take advantage of including a bunch of small nickel and dime parts when I need to place an order.

After that it's usually eBay.

 

Not sure why you would state that Jagbits didn't have the XJS parts you needed, would love to have a few examples since we have been selling new and used XJS parts since 1996 and I rarely tell someone we don't have a late model XJS part. List some examples....

 

Although I'm not impressed by your defensive posture, I'm not surprised. It speaks volumes about you and your company, and I hope the many other Jaguar enthusiasts who use these forums to learn and share experiences are also taking note...


That said, I'm willing to oblige your request. Prove to me that you have everything I needed to refresh the front end and replace aging wear items on my 1996 Jaguar XJS 2+2 with 4.0L engine by posting up hyperlinks to your web site, pricing and lead time for each of the following by noon central time on Wednesday, June 8:


1) power steering rack
2) Lemfoerder upper and lower ball joints
3) Moog outer tie rod ends
4) Polyurethane steering rack bushings
5) Rubber upper control arm bushings
6) Sway bar links, rubber link bushings, washers, nuts
7) Rubber sway bar bushings
8) All 3 OEM power steering hoses
9) O-ring for the high pressure ps hose
9) Oil line O-rings (all 4)
10) A/C and Alternator belts
11) Valve cover gasket


If you don't have a link, you can't provide a price and especially, if you can't ship from stock, well, you will have not only proven my point, you will have made a complete a$$ out of yourself in front of the customer base that you NEED to scratch out a living. Bring it, Jaggy.

 

 

1) power steering rack, price includes a core deposit that you will get back when we receive your old rack back:
Jaguar STEERING RACK, REBUILT - SR3018-OE
2) Lemfoerder upper and lower ball joints
Jaguar BALL JOINT, LOWER, IMPROVED ONE-PIECE - JLM11860-OE
Jaguar BALL JOINT, UPPER, IMPROVED ONE-PIECE - CAC9938-OE
3) Moog outer tie rod ends
I don't sell Moog brand our are made in the UK:
Jaguar TIE ROD END, OUTER - JLM1098-X
4) Polyurethane steering rack bushings
Ours are neoprene:
Jaguar STEERING RACK MOUNT UPGRADED PERFORMANCE KIT - CAC1635K
5) Rubber upper control arm bushings
Jaguar CONTROL ARM BUSHING FRONT UPPER - CAC9295-OE
6) Sway bar links, rubber link bushings, washers, nuts
Jaguar SWAY BAR END LINK, COMPLETE WITH BUSHINGS, WASHERS AND NUT. - C46186-X
7) Rubber sway bar bushings
Jaguar SWAY BAR MOUNT BUSHING - CAC46516
8) All 3 OEM power steering hoses
aftermarket, Jag stopped making this one 5 years ago:
Jaguar HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM PUMP TO RACK - CAC6941-X
oem 2 days to get:
Jaguar POWER STEERING HOSE, LOW PRESSURE, GOES FROM RESERVOIR TO RACK - CBC2616
oem 2 days to get
Jaguar POWER STEERING HOSE, LOW PRESSURE, GOES FROM RESERVOIR TO PUMP - MHD3980AA
9) O-ring for the high pressure ps hose
They come with the hoses
9) Oil line O-rings (all 4)
Which oil lines?
10) A/C and Alternator belts
I sell all 3 belts in a kit:
Jaguar ENGINE FAN BELT KIT - BK401-OE
11) Valve cover gasket
I sell the cam cover gasket set here with spark plug tube seals included:
Jaguar CAM COVER GASKET SET - NBC2525AA-SET

I can ship to you if you are in the 48 states for free, in 2 days, only because I have to order the 2 hoses mentioned above. If you are not in California you will not be charged tax. All the parts will be correct and all come with a 1 year warranty, I can give you a Forum discount code that will give a 10% the entire order: JAGFORUMS-10%. I will pack the order and ship myself and put a free Jaguar keychain in the box.
Thanks for giving me a chance to help you.

 

If you're looking for a single vendor who has 100% fill rate, for any order, at any time, *from shelf stock*, it's gonna get frustrating !

I've never found one vendor who always has every part I need, at any given moment, sitting on the shelf, *for my 1995 Honda Accord*....and cars flat-out don't come more ordinary and ubiquitous than that ! Heck, just recently the local CARQUEST and NAPA stores didn't have stock on a radiator cap, distributor cap, and heater hose. They were happy to special order them.

As specialty cars go, Jags are pretty good for parts availability, IMHO. When I've had a large shopping list as you mentioned I've always found "all the usual Jag vendors" are happy to order whatever I asked for if they didn't stock some of the items.


Cheers
DD

 

I agree Doug. We stock all the fast moving parts that are available to us. No one has every part for every Jag at the lowest possible price all the time. We all do our best though. A 1996 XJS is now 20 years old. Jaguar is discontinuing parts for them every month due to lack of sales and/or manufacturers no longer willing to make them at a reasonable cost. Aftermarket companies would rather make a ball joint that fits 2 million Toyotas instead of a few thousand Jags.

 

Dave, to name but two UK specialists:
SNG Barratt and David Manners all ship to the USA and will take orders over the phone and tell you there and then if they do, or do not have the item.
Greg

 

Quick question while we're on the subject of parts. This car has three belts? What is the third belt? I just replaced my AC Compressor belt and my Alternator belt...do I have a third belt? (1996 XJS with AJ16)

Thanks.

 

 

The AJ16 in the XJS does not have that third belt.

 

LOl yup aj6 only, I wasn't paying close enough attention, we price the kit the same for the aj6 and aj16 and then ship the appropriate kit based on which engine is in the customers car.

 

Jaggy,

Well done. I guess my procurement skills are lacking. I've never had to buy more than a widget or two before, and definitely nothing like the list of parts I've bought for this car.

You did ask me what oil lines I needed o-rings for; my shop mechanic told me the lines to/from the oil cooler were leaking, and said it's probably just the O-rings. I was able to source them on-line...

Anyway, this post has quickly gone from a "plea for help" to an online vendor review. As stated, I visit these forums to learn and share - all from my own perspective. Take it for what it is - my own experience. I apologize if my comment offended you (pretty sure it did). It was not meant to attack, just to vent my own frustration with a process that seemed to take way too long and was way too confused. I'll also apologize in advance to Coventry and Terry's and anyone else who sells us parts; both of the aforementioned have sold me parts that have and are saving my bacon. Again, I had no intent to critique, attack nor offend. Getting the right parts has been a real hassle, but I think I'm just about there... Now I can just deal with the frustration of trying to do repairs for which I'm not qualified and don't fully understand. Such is life for a new Jaguar XJS-C owner and lousy DIY mechanic...

 

No problem at all Dave I'm not offended in any way, next time you need something email or call me I will take extra good care of you. Just remind me that you are from the forums.