Hello Guys ! ... My 1997 XK8 has a Steering Wheel problem. It shakes when driving over uneven roads (pot wholes/not in good shape) . Wheels are balanced and vehicle is aligned. It is something from the Steering Wheel down to the Rack ... I am trying to find a diagram/drawing to see if there are any bushings or a part that might be causing the trembling. Have any encounter similar issues or may know how to get the diagram ? Thank you Guys !

 

Check your steering rack bolts. They may need to be tightened....

 

You mean the bolts under the car(at the bottom of steering wheel shaft), right ? ... Cause we did look under and tight any related bolts. It feels like something is wrong between the steering wheel downwards but before the rack & pinion.

 

Yes check the Steering linkage and also the Rack-to-Sub-frame bolts - see red arrow.
Also, whilst you are there, check the integrity of the Rack mounting Bush item #5 - see yellow arrow. Sometimes these Rubbers can degrade. Also, they can harbor moisture and cause the Aluminium subframe to corrode.behind. Over time, this reduces the clamping forces and leads to a lose Rack.

 

Super !!! Thank you PKWise !!! ... You are my savor and thanks for the pics ... I will keep you posted. Take care !

 

Not sure if this is much help but the steering wheel on my 06 shook pretty badly at speed. Problems were all 4 tires were out of balance and LF rim is slightly bent. Tire shop balanced all 4 and swapped front tires. Huge improvement. Now I've got slight vibration at specific speeds (like right at 70 mph). Having the rim straightened should solve that problem. Good luck w yours.

 

Good point CA Jag ! ... took the Jag today to the alignment shop and we uncovered a few things and one of them were the tires. Since I had the XK8 stored for so long tires have stretch lines on the inside. Mech said that could be a potential problem causing the shakes. Also found some of the bolts in the front Cardan Joint are missing what it looks like a rubber washers. The rear union joints have a small rusty thin line. He said they need to be replaced as well. Thank you very much for your help !

 

How is your subframe and suspension so clean?

 

thanks Buddy ! ... Will do ... I am guessing that #4 at the diagram is the metal "bracelet" ? Right ? ... By your words, maybe I should just order #5 the Rack Mounting. Bush

 

Quote "123Go says How is your subframe and suspension so clean? " What he means is why is your suspension so clean ?
Because it shows up the rusty bits crying out for Waxoil.

 

123go,
I've been refurbishing the underside of my car on a part-by-part basis. It's not finished yet and probably never will be - it's never ending! I only use my Jag in fair weather so the underside stays very clean.

Jaguar2373,
Yes, item #4 is a Steel bracket. I wouldn't order any parts until you're sure they need replacing (It becomes a false economy). When you mentioned the missing bolts on the Cardan, I thought that that was the likely culprit for the shaky steering condition.

Pistnbroke,
I prefer a professional and fresh finish and do not resort to Waxoil. Waxoil is not great on existing corrosion but excellent at hiding stuff before inspection !

 

Thanks again for the tips ! ... Just to give you a quick background ... My XK8 has been stored for over 12 yrs. Started every week / driven around the block every other week (once). It has 43,147 original miles. Never power sprayed underneath. Do you apply any special product to clean it ?
What I meant was not missing bolts; it was missing washers. But I found out that what it look like a missing washer, it is the Drive Shaft Flex Joint. It has a few tiny cracks particularly around the bolts. I hear you, it is a never ending story. I am going to clean it underneath, already ordered the Flex Joint and eventually will replace all the subfloor bushings.
So far since I live in a one season only (sunny), there is no or minimum rust underneath.
I do hear and feel a knock on the Steering wheel when I am driving. My hunch is that there is something loose or wear somewhere inside the Steering shaft. By the way, I don't know if I mentioned but I need to replace all 4 tires; they have plenty of meat but they are super old and have those tiny thin lines here and there.
FYI: I also have a 2000 Jag XJR Supercharged. See you soon my friend and thank you for the advice.

 

Jaguar2373,
Hopefully, the new joint will reduce your steering knock.

[QUOTE= Never power sprayed underneath. Do you apply any special product to clean it ? .[/QUOTE] Since you live in a dry environment, then I definitely wouldn't power spray your underside because that would introduce moisture and potentially kick-start the corrosion process !! Best to just leave it alone.

I live in England where regular rain was invented and salt is added to the roads to speed up the rust process !! So I have galvanized most of my chassis with special paint designed for metal boats. It's unusual and overkill because I tend not to drive in the wet - but I could choose to with little concern of corrosion. I don't clean it and just leave it alone.

 

Got it. So maybe I could power spray and since there is so much heat here in PR it will dry enough and then apply rust prevention to the chassis like Fender or the ones that it's use on the pick up trucks. I had that in mind for a while now. I want to apply it to all my vehicles. What galvanized paint do you use ? I like to overkill most of the time ... Hahaha !!! Like to have my toys as neat as possible. Do you use any particular product for power spray under ?

 

It's off topic, but I shot-blast all my steels and irons and then hand painted them with Bilt Hamber Electrox galvanic etch primer and 2-Pack Epoxy Mastic top-coat. This combination has self-healing properties against stone chips - which sort of heal over with a bit of discolouration. It is considered marine grade and suitable for salt-water boats. You can read more here https://bilthamber.com/product-categ...ints-coatings/

 

Hey Buddy ! ... I know we spoke before and I am very thankful for your advise and pics. Since I see that you may have access to diagrams, would it be possible to find the Steering Wheel diagram ? ... meaning from the bottom to top. We already inspect all the bolts that you suggested and all are Ok. My uncle, whom it is also a car enthusiastic and knowledgeable, it is under the impression that the sound (shaking) comes within the Steering Wheel, not at the bottom. He agrees with my perception that it is something either lose or wear out within the shaft that goes from the Steering W down ... Thank you in advance as always !

 

Jaguar2373,
The best source of assembly drawings, exploded views and part numbers is here: -
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic...uar-xk8-parts/

There are TWO universal joints in the upper steering column. One on each side of the firewall / bulkhead.

 

Sorry to join your thread late, but another very common cause of steering wheel shimmy when driving over uneven surfaces is softened/perished control arm bushings, especially those in the front lower control arms. I've replaced all the control arm bushings in every Jaguar I've owned and in many others. The large subframe bushings should also be checked since the steering rack mounts directly to the subframe.

Cheers,

Don