Power steering rack rebuild 1996 XJS
 

I have noticed a small amount of steering fluid on the ground after parking for a while.

Looks like a rebuild or purchase of a rebuilt unit may be in order. I’m still pretty handy with repairing my car. I’ve had my cat for ~ 5 yrs. and to date no mechanic has touched my car.

I feel I can rebuild and replace seals as required. The price for a seal kit is ~$130. A replacement rack is ~$250 with $100 core charge refund.

How difficult is the repair?

Appreciate your comments

Softball60/Paul

Can't speak to the difficulty to rebuild but if for $20 more you get a rebuilt part with a warranty on it then that seems like a pretty good deal compared to the price of the seal kit.

Check for you seal kit here https://www.motorcarsltd.com

Now, where did you find " A replacement rack is ~$250 with $100 core charge refund."

Steering gear super store $229.95, Detroit Axle $260 and a couple more.

A couple of the units listed stated specifically 1996, 2+2

My only question is what’s with or w/o servotronics 3 bolts or 4 bolts

Thanks

Softball60/Paul

I would pay the $300 for rebuilt rack, you get a warranty.

I rebuilt my rack and when I put the piston back in I must have nicked the seal with the teeth on the rack ( and yes I taped the teeth and was very careful) I ended up giving the rack to a professional $500 for the rebuild here in OZ.

Paul,

It may be that you've got a leaking rack, but if that is only based on seeing some ATF fluid on the ground, I would suggest you do much more investigation before committing to seal kits or even a new rack.

There are a number of other reasons that could be the cause of leaking ATF including:

- the joint of the pipes to the PAS reservoir
- the joint of the pipe at the PAS pump
- the joint of the pipe at the steering rack
- the transfer pipes on the steering rack
- the joints of the Autobox oil cooler pipes at the Autobox
- the joints of the Autobox oil cooler pipes at the cooler rad

It's worth looking at all of these first to try and pinpoint the cause of the leak.

Good luck

Paul

Sorry I didn’tmake it more clear in the original post that it is leaking at the plastic boot cover on the tie rod drivers side.



Thanks and sorry!!

Softball6060/Paul