Jaguar XJS power steering leak - How to fix a leaking steering rack on a Jaguar XJS, XJ12 and XJ6

[@peterbell9683]

By the by... another excellent video as they all are!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you!

[@workshop_deluxe2493]

Adam, great video, helps a lot. My XJ-S is leaking everywhere. And removing the rack could not be more difficult than on a BMW E61, which I have done lately. The horror, the horror...

[@artjag1]

nicely done.... my S appears to be dripping from this area, so here goes...Many THX, Art.

[@keithbean406]

Adam, thanks for putting this great video together. I have all my parts, so this is about to be a perfect winter project for my 1987 Jaguar XJS V12 :)

[@matthewcurry425]

Adam, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. My Series 2 Coupe has this exact problem. A great tutorial before 'getting into it'!

[@Lvx13]

Amazing video and great camera angles. You’re fantastic, thank you

[@mlindblom]

Good tips, i will change that sealing on mine. Took out the steering rack today, took only 5min... easier when the engine is out 😎

[@uhn100]

Thank you Adam I am sure this will be useful to know with my XJS much appreciated Andy.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

You’re welcome

[@gogobrent]

I'm getting ready to replace my rack and front end bushings tomorrow. I'm renting a bay with a lift at a DIY auto shop here in Austin. I'm a little nervous about all of it going well but especially the fulcrum bolts. I'm hoping mine are in decent shape and able to be reused.

[@iainp4396]

Great simple instruction , i feel confident of taking this job on myself now ,

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you for watching!

[@iainp4396]

just finished the job , 1991 4.0 XJS facelift .. even easier then the V12 as i managed complete job with the rack in situ and the car on the ground accessed from the engine bay , took 30 mins . Thanks again for this video as i would not have attempted it without seeing it done first , great job .

[@zeroque2936]

Looks really similar to the unit used in a Triumph Stag I owned a few years back. I don't recall that unit leaking from the place yours did but it leaked at least one end of the rack, possibly both. Like the Jag, there's not much room to work underneath there, the common theme being larger engines fitted into an engine bay that what was mostly used for 6cyl engines.

[@acenphillips2618]

Great Video! Thank you for all the wonderful information, easy to listen to and understand. I am currently working on a 96' Vanden Plas and I believe I have a similar situation with the Power steering rack pinion. I was curious if you were experiencing stiff and tough turning at low or stationary speeds. My steering wheel is very hard to turn at low speeds. I was curious if you had similar symptoms before you fixed your leak and if so, did the steering become easier to turn after the repair of the intake seal? Any input about this would be much appreciated. Thank you again for the awesome content and all of your time, Acen

[@Dukeman48]

Have to say this is excellent, thanks for taking the time.!!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you Arron!

[@senzoautomotive]

Great video again! I have the same problem with my 75 XJ6 coupe Will try to do the exchange without removing the whole rack There’s a lot more space from the engine room top area… Fingers x-ed..

[@50RobinHill]

Thank you for posting - will save this for my old XJ6 when the time comes!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

You're welcome 😊 When I had an XJ6 I replaced that seal with the rack still in the car. Really handy

[@toddhostager3149]

Thanks so much for this very helpful video!!

[@amirz8649]

Thank you for sharing. Please make a video about power steering pump.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

About rebuilding one?

[@amirz8649]

@@LivingWithAClassic yes please🙏

[@kiwi7341]

Nice video, great idea to use compressed air to blow out the seal👍

[@garrethsmith9000]

Adam, I had to do this job, I did try with the rack in situ. Didn't work. The only thing I did differently to your fine video was to buy a small length of aluminium tube the was the same size as the seal hole and used that to tap it in, worked fine as I didn't have a socket that would fit. I have just had to replace my rear springs, you could do a video of that if you want (I would be rubbish). K6GTS

[@alvanjudson2836]

Adam, thanks for the great video. This may be a daft question but, in retrospect, could that seal be replaced without removing the rack?

[@richardgreene3460]

As always Adam, excellent! I look forward to each Thursday! Take care & be safe!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you Richard and have a nice weekend! 😊

[@asdreww]

Hi, any tips for fixing leaks on those 4x hose unions? Do they contain o-rings or just need tightening up? mine is leaking from those & the fittings are a bit mangled so don;t want to try tightening them if pointless as a bit risky.

[@Khinda313]

I really like your channel. Could you please make a video on replacing the alternator on XJS

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll add that to the list of future videos.

[@zanegrey4720]

Adam my xj40 has a leaking power steering do you think it would be this but I might get it over hauled thanks Adam.

[@kwright9280]

How many hours did it take u to get rack out? U say a lot of time but can u give a little more clarity for those of us mechanically challenged but also hesitant about taking to a shop. Thanks

[@BeastMR2]

Love the video Adam, though I’m having a hard time removing the old seal and washer. Is there an alternative to the compressed air method? Even my super tiny flathead screwdriver won’t do the trick. I have a bike pump I may be able to use for air, though I would first want to know does it matter if I send the air through the top hole? You said bottom in the video, just wondering if it matters.

[@diemosel]

Old thread here but I'm having the same issue - anyone have an alternative solution? I'm thinking I need to remove the complete assembly from the rack

[@pjnyc8276]

Great content. Have you ever worked on an XJS in the US?

[@jamieduff1981]

Thanks for the video. Do the rack end seals tend to leak also? I know I have a few leaks including from some hose unions and I'd expect this seal to be goosed on mine also. I haven't removed the rack yet but I thought last time I looked that I could see fluid leaking from the boot over one of the tierods.

[@jeffsuzenski8018]

Well done

[@russellconner9420]

I really enjoy your videos and have found them most informative. Where are you located and do you work on cars other than your own? I have a pair of 1996 Jaguar XJS's although one of them looks like a 95. I am working though all the random leaks on each. I have a leak in what appears to be some sort of pump attached to rubber hose that runs from the block through the pump unit and into the firewall on the driver's side. Have been unable to find any info identifying the part but the fluid is rather clear and has the viscosity of oil so I am guessing it is perhaps the power steering. Would appreciate any info and thanks for the most helpful vids.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

That sounds like the power steering pump on a 6 cylinder car. I live in Sweden and yes I do work on customer cars

[@donx03]

The tie rod, require a whole lot of heat to remove

[@prabhjitsingh3298]

Really liked your video. Can you make video on common leaks for xjs. I’ve 87 and I’m trying to get it cleaned up. I saw tranny fluid is leaking I’m not sure if it is from the front seal. Then for the engine I’ll replacing the valve cover gasket. But I saw there’s a switch in the top rear of the engine and that’s leaking too.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you! I will be making a video on the common leaks. Yes there is an oil pressure sender and switch up there that tend to leak. It's usually the switch for the warning light

[@prabhjitsingh3298]

Appreciate it 👊👊

[@jeffpirkey1005]

I have an 89 XJS-C with less than 40K that was not driven much the last 25 years, but was pretty well maintained before I got her. This episode of your Jag awesomeness I've watched several times - I just dropping a bunch of power steering fluid last time my wife and I took her out for a spin. Only under pressure is the power steering fluid coming out. I haven't gotten her up in the garage to check, but was wondering if the issue from this tutorial was something that would produce a lot of fluid leak or some other indicators to help pin point this problem?

[@garrethsmith9000]

Adam, I had to do this job, I did try with the rack in situ. Didn't work. The only thing I did differently to your fine video was to buy a small length of aluminium tube the was the same size as the seal hole and used that to tap it in, worked fine as I didn't have a socket that would fit. I have just had to replace my rear springs, you could do a video of that if you want (I would be rubbish). K6GTS

[@ktgmeasap]

You wouldn’t happen to know the part number of the washer? I have a new seal but when I got in my rack some idiot had used some single larger seal and no washer...

[@utherzoidberg1688]

Thank you very much for this guideline. I have the same leaking in my XJS, but I have US version and it seems to be much more difficult to remove the steering rack. There is absolutely no space around CAT to put hand there and I am afraid I will need firs remove the CAT which will be pain also :( Does anyone managed to remove the rack without removing CAT in US version ?

[@diemosel]

I also have a US version, and yes the CAT was in the way, I drained the oil and pulled the oil filter to get to the steering knuckle bolt - its a 13mm by the way

[@shaharalon46]

Hey Where can i buy this rack pinion seals ?

[@peterbell9683]

Well, this was probably all it was but they swapped out the entire rack! Totally different topic: ABS Valve Block Assembly. There was a service bulletin in January of 1998 re replacing this vs the entire system. Doesn't exist today nor do rebuild kits or remanufactured Valve Blocks. Result: no choice but to purchase from a salvage yard on Ebay... and it doesn't work. 3hrs in, 3hrs out at $155 per hr😢 Help!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

That’s a lot! I run my own shop and charge $75 an hour so 155 sounds steep

[@peterbell9683]

Tell me about it!!! Where's your shop, cheaper to ship it to you... I'll have money left over to take you to dinner!@@LivingWithAClassic

[@LivingWithAClassic]

It’s in Sweden so probably too far to ship

[@peterbell9683]

Aha.. darn, isn't that always my luck! Coincidentally my wife are considering a trip next year to include Sweden, Denmark & Norway... not in the Jag of course :)@@LivingWithAClassic

[@Ezrider359]

nice job

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you!

[@artjag1]

where is the link for the seal ????? Art..

[@LivingWithAClassic]

SNG Barratt has it

[@jeffreyprice773]

Never removed the PAS rack just removed the pinion housing, fitted new seal and refitted housing useing a special thimble tool to protect the seal .

[@jaguarstypecustom]

I have a 1986 xj6 and my drivers side rubber boot had about half a quart of power steering fluid in it. The boot ripped that's how I found this out but what seal would you think needs to be replaced? Btw love your videos😊

[@jonathanwaugh1433]

❤

[@multipurposepaperbox]

Nice

[@sumporfuk]

Nice video, to each his own, though. From my point of view it would be impossible to justify the two following points: 1. For such a time consuming job to not change the steering rack bushings as a matter of general course (no matter how solid the old one’s felt) with the steering rack in my hands on a 15, 20, 25, 30 year old car is inconceivable. 2. Again, to each his own - Not swapping those OEM bushings over to updated Polyurethane bushings for a longer lasting and much better steering feel is not something I would do or even recommend.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

They had been replaced a few years back. If they do go bad I will put in polyurethane ones.

[@bixkauldhar1566]

Poly bush those rack bushes.

[@williamellis3961]

Drive you loco trying to remove and replace steering rack