The other day I posted about power steering issues. Jon89 suggested start by changing power steering fluid.

Many of you offered suggestions re how to. Thank you.

Well I can surely say 21 year old power steering fluid is hurting! There is a nice improvement, thank you jon89. Good suggestion.

BTW I couldn't find dextron 3, used 4 which states comparability.

For those like me, who never considered it, it's super easy. Took about 5 minutes.

Thanks John

 

Glad it worked for you. Fresh fluid is always a good first step for any onboard system that is two decades old....

 

John,

Took a while to find your original thread on the issue:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...g-rack-202168/

When a suggestion has been successful (and even when it hasn't), please post in the ORIGINAL thread instead of starting a NEW one. Thanks can be posted either using the button and/or an additional post.

It's useful to keep all the discussion together in one place so others following the issue can easily find all details on the issue, suggested fixes and the actual resolution.

Good to hear it was a simple fix.

Graham

 

Graham, yes you are correct thanks.

Since this was a swinging problem I was reluctant to point to a specific symptom/ solution, but changing that fluid certainly made a nice difference in drivability, so I wanted to recognize and thank Jon.

In the last week I also replaced a defective lower ball joint and replaced all the bushes on the lower control arms both sides, then a day ago replaced the front Pirelli tires.

Only reason I haven't posted an evaluation of the improvement is that I changed so many things so close together.

For fun let me post some info:

New bearing: seems to have removed clunking when changing wheel direction.

New lower bushes: I saw a bigger performance difference with new stabilizer links. Expected tighter feel to steering, no but certainly a MUCH more comfortable, "ah that's a jaguar" feel while driving. Road feel is somewhat diminished, but it's like the useless junk is gone. Very smooth is best way to describe.

New tires: I only mention this because I learned something. New Contental extreme contact tires already on rear. Replaced very worn Pirelli asimetrico on front.

First drive - let down. It was like these Contental had more flex on the sidewalls. Thought to self it's like I'm driving an older lincoln (yes I'm exaggerating a bit)... well logic took over. Maybe they had inaccurate guages, I told them 32psi. So I checked.

Darn, 32psi, right on the money! Then I thought, what if. . .and I checked the rear. Yep! Sure enough, they must have though I meant 32 all around. Added air to 34psi, that was it.

Well she certainly does drive nice now. Since I changed so many things so close together I can't provide separate reviews, but I thought you might be interested.

John

 

JUST FYI, there is no 'T' in DEXRON.


bob

 

Thanks! What was the exact process to change it out?

 

Bllindside, the power steering fluid: Purchase a cheap plastic turkey baster in store. Purchase new fluid.

Using the baster, suck the old fluid out. I put it in an empty water bottle. Smarter men than me suggest turning the wheel lock to lock 2 or 3 times once empty (engine on for the turn). I couldn't retrieve any additional fluid to speak of this way.

I got about 4 ounces out this way. Put new fluid in, did the left right lock to lock turns a few times, rechecked the fluid level.

Some suggested repeating above to clear out more of the old fluid. I will likely do that in a couple of days.

BTW - Yes one can use ATF in the power steering pump in these cars. The car is spec'd to Dexron III. I used Dexron IV.

John

 

Okay thanks! I was hoping maybe there was a drain plug or something similar that would ensure a more complete "flush"

 

Chris, You could disconnect the hose to the power steering pump, but I got lots of caution from other members about that - folks found that the disconnect/connect process leads to leaks too often for my tastes. That plus the super easy way I described convinced me .

If you give it a shot, let us know what you think.

John