I am looking at installing a new Steering Rack; Rebuilt, I have checked AutoZone,motorcars LTD, Jaguars Cathouse, Terry's Jaguar arts, Jaguar Specialties, Jaguar Dealer and Gambino's. I have gotten price from 225.00-1250.00 plus core charges 150-250.00. Some tell me I need the Maval type others the ZF type. My Jag is a Classic collection that came with 235/60/15 tires. What kind do I need? Why do only some charge more for the ZF type and others do not? What will happen if I put the wrong one on? By the way I have purchased some Lucas Power Steering stop leak today, its in the book(Kirby Palm) and said to stop such a leak. I will try that first, in the las year I have put fluid in twice so it can not be that bad. Thank you for you thoughts and comments .
Robert Varnam

1991 XJS Convertible Classic 5.3

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Mon, 11/08/2004 - 09:33

Robert,

The Lucas stuff is a bandaid, a stop-gap that just postpones the inevitable. I tried it on my former '72 E-type when it was leaking, and it didn't work. Hope you have better luck. The best solution is still a quality rebuild. But if you can postpone it for a while and that's what you are hoping to do, give it a try.

Steve

Submitted by robert@varnam.com on Fri, 11/05/2004 - 23:48

I read about that stuff and picked it up at autozone and will give it a try. I do have a zf rack on this 91. I will let you know if it works. If it works I will put my urethane bushings on it.

1991 XJS Convertible Classic 5.3

Submitted by silver007@shaw.ca on Fri, 11/05/2004 - 23:03

Hi Guy's,
If the rack is leaking just a little I would get a suitable instrument and suck as much of the fluid out if the reservoir, and fill with LUCAS stop leak, this stuff works apparently for transmissions too, it seems to have worked quite well on my son's XJS. This stuff is quite thick and mixes with the remainder of the fluid and seems to do the trick, if all else fails send to Dick Maury @ Coventry West and ask him to rebuild it for you.
CAUTION, these racks can be a real ----- to re and re, specially the hoses, I know this by experience, unless you have a hoist and other special things, such as small hands, Try the Lucas stuff, it is good,

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT "Silver"
Pacific Jaguar.ca

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Fri, 11/05/2004 - 09:53

I had a similar problem with an '89 XJS that I owned. My main problem was the PS hoses. But the rack was in the early stages of leaking as well. Since we had to drop the rack to get at the hoses, it made sense to simply rebuild the rack right then and there.

You didn't mention Coventry West. You should contact them. They are really good with XJS's. NAYYY, just a former customer. Terry's Jaguar also does rack rebuilds. Those are the two suppliers that I'd deal with on something like this, and unless I was going to go for an upgrade as Richard was talking about to the Sport Rack (which is worth considering), I'd simply look at having your original rack rebuilt. And definitely do the hoses as long as you have the rack down. They are a PITA to get at otherwise.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'70 XKE FHC
'69 XKE OTS