When I looked at the underside of my XJ-SC before purchasing, it was all wet, hard to tell where the leak was coming from but it appeared to be power steering. I filled the reservoir, and washed the engine and underside to watch for the leak. It appears to be the rack itself, all the hoses and connections are clean and the high pressure hose appears to be new too. I can find rebuilt racks online at a reasonable cost, what all is involved in replacing this? I do all my own maintenance including transmission fluid & filter and bleeding the brakes, so I have some DIY skills, but they are not unlimited. Thanks!

Submitted by rcmaury@bellso… on Sat, 10/06/2012 - 19:50

ATF works fine. Style not important as transmission clutches are not involved. The low pressure line can be replaced with ordinary 3/8 fuel line and hose clamps. Check the cooler also as there are hoses attached there.

Submitted by dhall@hallandh… on Sat, 10/06/2012 - 18:59

Good news, after waiting for the leak to reappear it is NOT the rack, it is just the foil-covered power steering return hose from the cooler to the pump, which drips steadily on the front suspension crossmember, which allows a good amount to pool up before it starts blowing all over the rack and down the underside of the car as you drive. But while I wait for the parts to arrive, I was wondering what fluid I should use, I have read online to use Dextron ATF in the XJ-S power steering system, is this right? I have never heard of ATF in a power steering system but what do I know.....

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Sun, 09/30/2012 - 21:33

It's perfectly DIY-able. NOT a stroll thru the park, though :-). You won't be whistling while you work, if you get what I mean.

You'll need patience, lots of rags and hand cleaner .....and at some points a second set of hands would be very.....handy.

Tricky parts:

Getting the hose fittings attached to the new rack. There typically isn't a lot of slack in the hoses so getting the threads started can be frustrating . Gotta hold the rack (and your tongue) just right.

The steering column shaft attaches to the rack with a clamp and pinch bolt. Tricky to access the bolt. If you trun the steering wheel "just so" you can just see and reach the pinch bolt with a long-ish extension via the lower part of the front wheel well....sorta between the cat converter and the sheet metal of the wheel well as I recall. Something like that. You'll see it with enough light.

Like everything else on a V12 XJS, the job goes faster if you work slower. If you try to rush the car fights you all the way. Slow and steady wins the race on these cars.

Cheers
DD