I think at some earlier thread I mentioned that my power steering rack developed leaks. I tried for the life of me to find and source an MXD R-performance rack to try and upgrade but I couldn't find a left hand-drive one anywhere. I gave up on that and went on vacation to Rio de Janeiro. I took my MJC rack to a local rebuilder and they did a fantastic job. They replaced all the seals, boots, and even painted it (looks powder coated). They pressure tested it to make sure there are no leaks. That cost $272. Sadly, I inquired if they could modify it to have a quicker ratio but they said that they don't do those modifications.

Now, I'm wondering, before installing the new rack and filling the system with Valvoline MaxLife, should I also replace the reservoir? I read somewhere that they have a filter in side them that cannot be replaced or cleaned. Is this true? Should I buy a new reservoir? The reservoir seems identical to the one I've seen in some BMWs. I think I could find it for less than the Jag price. Any thoughts on that?

 

These do look like ones that were used on BMWs. I know the inlet/outlet pipe locations on the XK8 are different than one ones on my E39 and E46. However, from crummy Internet pix, it looks like the reservoir for the E90-series is the same. Aftermarket reservoirs for those BMWs are around $25-ish. The ZF part number 3721201. Maybe you can find better 360 degree pix.

If you elect to keep your old reservoir, there is an o-ring on the cap that gets hard over time and then the reservoir weeps from the top. The o-rings for the BMW reservoirs are available separately and I think will fit the Jag.

 

Well, that explains why the reservoir top always looked crusty.
Also please excuse my ignorance, do I have to get new low and hi pressure hoses even if they are in good conditions or could I keep them as is? Could I get away with just having them re-built as well?

 

The workshop manual states that the resevoir should be replaced. Having spent the money to refurb the rack, I think I'd replace the resevoir.

 

If it were me, I'd flush them out and reuse them. Unless they're leaking there's no reason no to reuse them. Yes, I'm sure they can be rebuilt.

 

Regarding the reservoir, I locally purchased the BMW unit for the E90 323, which, at least outwardly, looks identical the ours. It only cost me $35. They said they'll have it in the store by Monday. Once I have it in my hands I'll compare it with ours and see if its plug and play fit or requires any modifications. I think it will be plug and play but we'll see.

From the JTIS, I found this:



As far as I could determine, there was no evidence of contamination in my system. Nevertheless, I may as well replace the reservoir since I already bought it. In which case, I figure I could go ahead and flush the lines as per the instructions in the JTIS rather than replace them.

 

I'm happy to report that the rack rebuild solved the rack leaks. I'm also happy to report that the BMW Power Steering for the E90 323 BMW is a exact fit. This is an OE BMW/ZF reservoir, so you know you're getting good quality. The price was $35 + tax. For reference, the URO reservoir with the Jag part number was over $80+ for inferior quality, and the OE Jag reservoir was $140+ depending on vendor. They are almost identical with only very minor differences. Hose diameters are the same, reservoir dimensions are the same, and the only difference was like a plastic cradle inside on the Jag unit where the BMW one didn't have that. That cradle only serves to make sure you don't cross-thread the cap. Otherwise they're 100% identical. Even some of the stamping was the same. The hoses fit perfectly on the BMW reservoir and the reservoir dropped in with no problem onto its bracket in the engine bay.

Avoid the Jaguar tax. Buy the BMW reservoir and you can save lots of money while having OE quality. I just now dropped off the Jag to get an alignment.
Now I just wonder if any BMW M3, perhaps E46 CSL which looks similar, steering racks might fit our cars? That would certainly have a quicker ratio than ours.

BMW/ZF part number: 32 41 6 851 218


It's clear to see that outwardly, on first glance, both reservoirs look identical. This sticker has the ZF part number for the BMW part.



PA66GF25 is stamped on the side of the Jag reservoir.



PA66GF25 is also stamped on the side of the BMW reservoir.



The cap is almost the same as the Jag one, except it says what fluid to use for the BMW.



Jag cap doens't mention fluid type, just that it's for the power steering fluid and it has a leaper drawn on it. Surely that's where the Jag tax is being spent on.



BMW reservoir doesn't have the cradle for centering the cap.



Jag reservoir does have the cradle, but it's not necessary.

 

Interesting that per the embossed specs on the cap for the BMW version, it calls for CHF-11S fluid. If I remember correctly, that is the same green-colored Pentosin fluid that our convertible top hydraulic systems utilize....

 

Should you have no leak or defect in your own Resv, would a reverse flush in a clean parts washer also flush the filter? The fluid is just maintained at a specified level and gravity flows into the P.S. Pump. What do others think of this assessment? Maybe a Plan B?

 

Yes, I noticed that too, but I never got to deal with the fluid when I had my convertible, and know nothing about it. Is that fluid thinner or more viscous than the Dexron III? Could the fluid chosen contribute to steering feel or its weight?