Help! Steering rack grease for a 2006 XK convertible
 

Hello,
Can anyone suggest a readily available grease for my steering rack please? The steering is very "notchy".
Thanks and regards,
Bill

Grease? AFAIK the steering rack has no grease fittings. It does use Dexron III ATF as its fluid.

Notchy steering means worn components. Check your ball joints and tie rods for binding.

I love the quote! Thanks very much for your help.
Best regards,
Bill

Bill,

+1 to GD. First easy check to do is to check the power steering fluid in the reservoir. The cap has two marks for level "but don't overfill, as it'll pour all over the place (as it's not a sealed system). The APS fluid should be a nice clear cherry red colour. Easy to refill and/or replace if fluid is bad and that could be the source of the "nochy" feel.

+1 to mhminnich - if it's not the APS Fluid, then you'll need to look at the tie rod ends and ball joints. Pretty easy to check but you'll need to jack the car up and check for play.

If it's not this, then you're into checking the APS hoses and then the rack. If it's the power steering pump and/or rack, you're into a whole different world of pain.

Hi David,
Thanks for that. Had the oil changed today, but it hasn't fixed the problem. The mechanic thinks it's probably the pump............. World of pain, here I come! Would you happen to know if a non-genuine pump can be found anywhere?
Cheers,
Bill

I would check Rockauto or a rebuild service.

Also, SNG Barrat has aftermarket reproduction pumps. Can’t be certain which fits without knowing your model year.

Dear Sean, David and other gentlemen,
Thanks very much for your insights. I tool your advice and checked all the potentially straighforward/cheap solutions; but no joy. I managed to find a second hand rack for a reasonable price in the UK, and have had a power steering specialist install it. At first it was still a bit notchy, with a split second resistance at about half way around a full turn of the steering wheel, in both directions. However, the more I drive it, the better it gets (I have no idea why!). So, fortunately, this has had a happy ending.

Thanks again and best regards,

Bill
(Boomerang Beach, Australia)

Bill,

Thanks for following up on your thread and letting us know your happy results.

So, if I'm right, you're in NSW, Australia, and you managed to find a second hand rack in the UK, and had it shipped to AUS.

I suppose the Jag must a rare sight Down Under as it seemed that no professional garage there was willing to overhaul your steering rack. FWIW the ZF Servotronic system is quite common and there are service packs for this steering rack unit available, but this overhaul job is not really DIY-able for the average home shade tree mechanic.

Hi David,
Yes, you've got it spot on. And yes, not too many of the beautiful older Jags on the ground here in Australia. Mine was AUS$228,000 when new, so no surprise! Despite all the trials and tribulations, I love my XK convertible!

All the best,

Bill