I am about to walk into replacing the motor mounts on my 1998 XK8. The driver's side mount requires that you "drop the steering rack". I've heard this term before, would you please tell me what it means?

I ask because I got to thinking about it and wondered if this includes suspension items like removing the lower control arm. If it did/does I might be tempted to bundle in something like replacing the lower ball joint or replacing the bushings while that is out.

I bet it has nothing to do with that arm but it would sure be nice to understand exactly what is meant by that term. Let me know when you have a minute, thanks.

 

To "drop the steering rack" you disconnect the tie rod ends, steering hydraulic lines and the steering input shaft.

 

Not my car or my photograph (and you can see it is damaged on the left hand side) but .................. others will advise on the actual process, but the steering rack is the tubular part across the centre (with the blue and silver sticker) which operates under hydraulic pressure to steer the wheels with the track rods at either end.



The lower control arm does not (I'm fairly sure) need to be removed to drop (i.e. remove) the steering rack.

 

Here's an old thread discussing the replacement of the motor mounts. Maybe it will help.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-mounts-64960/

 

This link will show you how I did my engine mount replacement. Note I did not remove the tie rod ends.

Link Engine mount replacement JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource