I fitted a new delco remy exchange steering rack (adwest) 240 miles ago and the l.h.
boot blew off due to it being full of atf oil, (it didn't have an adwest rack b4) is there any chance the pump may be over pressurizing CAN THIS HAPPEN? or has any one experienced faulty delco, probably old stock sitting around for years, xjs rack products, I can either buy a new one from the original supplier for £200 and send the old one back possibly for warranty or get this one reconned properly for £150, do I want the same hassle over again?

 

Rex
In the pump there is a pressure relief valve system the same as in the engine oil system. It would be worth checking that this is not jammed shut somehow. If not, you just have had a duff rack. I changed my Adwest when it went home for the later ZF rack as fitted to later facelifts (not retired then!) and it is miles better, more road feel, more direct feeling, recommended.

Greg

 

hi Greg
I thought the pressure relief was in the pinion part of the rack, now you say zf I am not sure what I have on here now, its got metric tie rods instead of unf on the old one that's the only way I can differentiate,

 

i don't know about the XJS but generally speaking the pressure relief valve is in the pump itself.

whether this damaged a seal or the seals are damaged you won't know unless you test. If you feel like the investment in tools hook up a pressure gauge between the pump and rack and turn it on, read pressure at idle and then turn the wheels at lock no more than 5-10 seconds. The pressure will be around 1000psi but it will regulate. If it spikes or goes waaaaay above that then the pressure relief valve is toast.im a bit drunk if anyone feels like correcting me and im way off on something.

generally when a relief valve is stuck the belt will squeal though, because the excess pressure is beyond what the belt can pull and as it rises the pump locks up on the belt

 

The pressure relief is definitely in the pump, Rex. Unless you have fitted a newer one, I believe all the pre facelifts have Adwest racks.

Greg