Hi, My 1998 XK8 has some free play in the steering wheel,(about 3/4")
It makes the car very tiring to drive on a normal straight or slightly curvy
road. Is there allowance for adjustment in the steering rack?
My X300 with more than double the mileage had no play in the steering at all.
Any suggestions please?

Cheers, Peter.

 

Peter,

The only time I've had excessive play on the steering was when a Rack Mounting Bush (item 1) split allowing the rack to move sideways:



(click on the image to enlarge it)

A.f.a.I.k. there is no adjustment on the rack and pinion.

Graham

 

Peter;
Second what GGG is saying.
Additional items you may want to check:
1. Outer tie rod ends worn.
2. Under the rack and pinion rubber boot, on each side, is the inner tie rod end which consists of what I call a "ball and socket" fitting which permits the movement of the tie rod. Should the "ball" wihin the "socket" become worn, one may sense some movement.
3. Ball joints - upper or lower worn to the point you are getting excessive steering wheel play.
4. Check the U-joints running from the end of the steering column to the rack and pinion input shaft. Typically, these are on a splined shaft.

I just completed the replacement of a new rack and pinion on one of my other vehicles and this is the list of items checked, starting with new bushings on the rack and pinion.

 

Thanks to both of you, I will check those items.
Glad to belong to a great forum.
Cheers, Peet,

 

I have a similar problem with my '97 XK8. MOT test said play in rack but I don't think it is. The play in the steering wheel requires virtually no effort to move through and seems to be somewhere in the column. I can't feel any play in the universal joint and it seems to be fine between the wheel and the part of the column behind the pedals. I read somewhere that there is a crude spline to allow longitudinal movement where the column goes through the bulkhead and the spline can wear. Can anyone shed any more light on this and maybe direct me to a diagram of the assembly. Any instructions on changing out the offending part.

 

Re the play in steering,
I had my mechanic check the problem of play in the steering,
it turned out to be that splines in the upper shaft near the steering wheel
were worn (quite unusual I believe)
Anyway the problem is now fixed and I can enjoy driving again.
Cheers, Peet,

 

Can I ask what you had to change. Was it a new column or some kind of fix? I suspect I have a similar problem.

 

Hi,
My mechanic managed to get a good used upper steering shaft.
It consists of two parts, shaft with universal joint mathing shaft
connecting with steering wheel.
Hope that helps.
cheers Peet.

 

This is an old thread but, 3/4" steering play is normal right? With a properly aligned front end the car should not wander, right? You know, proper toe-in.

 

Mine have NO play in them. Normal might be a 1/16 or so but not 3/4 of an inch. That is a lot of movement before the wheels respond. You can feel a slight ticking back and forth from suspension wear but definitely no slack.

 

Good to know!