Hi all,
The power steering failed on my 1997 4.0 XK8.
I noticed the serpentine belt was not tracking correctly on the air conditioning compressor.
on removing the serpentine belt I found that the entire spindle of the power steering pump was loose and had moved forward causing the belt not to track correctly.
As always it was a very steep learning curve to remove the pump hidden down on the front left hand side of the motor. I’m still not sure that I removed it correctly, I don’t know how I was supposed to access the 10mm (head size) bolt that retains the dipstick bolt.
On disassembly I found the key that locks the spindle to the rotor had failed, the shaft had moved forward and was effectively destroyed.
The car has done 150,000 km. I have no reason to believe that the pump would have been subject to any unusual abuse.
i can’t imagine why it would have failed. Is pump failure common with these cars? I have never had a P S pump fail previously. My wife’s venerable X 300 has over 450,000k trouble free km on it.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on?
Any tips or advise gratefully received.
Regards all and stay well
Alan
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Yeah that dipstick bolt (if your talking about where it connects to the valve cover) is a PITA...

I would say, #$$+$#! happens, and get ready to change out the pump. Stuff always happens. Can depend on it.

 

Thanks,
I was actually referring to where the dipstick tube bolts to the back of the steering pump.
With the radiator fans removed access to the front of the pump is not too bad but the bolt at that rear that retains the dipstick and a wiring harness is very hard to get to.
I inadvertently pulled the tube out of the block.
regards
al