Jumped into my "99 Jag xk8 today, and as I was fidgeting in the seat with one hand on the wheel, I noticed that the steering wheel telescoped toward me with just about five-ten pounds of pull on the wheel.

This led to the discovery that I can physically telescope the steering wheel backward and forward 3-4 inches strictly by hand. I also hear a muffled
ratcheting noise as I move the steering wheel back and forth.

I am unable to lock it into a fixed telescopic position with the electric knob
at the side of the steering column.

What the heck is going on? Is there a fix that I can do to correct this?

As always, thanks for your help guys.

 

There is a flexible coupling between the reach motor and the movement gearing that has failed. At least you can move yours. There are several discussions but no clear pictorials on how to make the repair. Here are a couple:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...a-17191/page2/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...h-cable-50906/

Why don't you take pictures while you fix yours and then I will know how to fix mine.

 

Sounds like the gear teeth are sheared. The only way I know to repair is with another column. I have never tried to replace the gears, I just replace the entire upper column.

bob gauff

 

Well, I knew it was serious. Dang! Thanks guys, Ed.

 

It telescopes by way of a metal threaded rod through a plastic block nut. The nut strips enough to allow the threads to be pulled through. Same thing happened to mine. I came up with a band-aid for the summer and will make a replacement nut sometime during the cold season.