Power steering leak

[Tigger]

I just picked up a 89 XJ6. It is beautiful and I got it very cheap. However it has a few minor problems. I think it needs a fuel pump and I can handle that. But I want to ask about the power steering unit. The boot on the drivers side steering assembly is torn and fluid is pouring out of it. I believe I can replace the boot but is there another seal inside the PS unit that would have to be replaced also? Or is it normal for the boot to be full of PS fluid?

 

[jessebogan]

Replace the rack. Easy job, and not all that expensive. Do yourself a favor and replace the PS high pressure hose at the same time. Be aware, there should be a thin washer between the subframe and the rack mounting points. These are often missing and do properly position the rack. Nothing special, a regular 5/16" washer will do fine.

 

[Tigger]

Thank you Jesse, However that does sound a bit extreme. I have seen racks on e-bay that average about $150 to $250. I will check locally to see if there are any here in San Antonio. What do you think of used racks?

 

[jessebogan]

I have worked on XJ40s since they came out, and have seen way too many PS leaks. It is best to just FIX it, and get on with driving and enjoying the car. The PS pumps and feed hoses to the pump leak too, but they can usually be left for another day. The Adwest racks have been rebuilt a time or two by now, and most folks treat them as consumable items.In 93 or 94 Jaguar changed the rack supplier to ZF. They should interchange Ok, and are a much better unit. I see you have an XJS also. They also have a ZF for them. I have replaced a ton of adwest racks over the years, but have ,so far, never had to replace a ZF. They are a lot more expensive to buy, but like a great man said" Buy the best, you only cry once" I have an 89 XJS that I have owned since new. The car has had 5 adwest racks in 155K miles, and the ZF I last installed still has had no sign of trouble. I guess you pays your money, and you takes your chances.

 

[linmalki]

Used rack? You've already got a used rack! Also, when replacing the high-pressure hose, use the original, not the replacement brand, which we have had too many failures with.
Also, a fuel pump replacement is not difficult if it is the early external pump (and don't use used here either!!), but you may have the later pump that is in the gas tank. In that case, it's a real pain in the neck. Some of the Jag parts specialty places supply just the pump alone rather than the $500 factory assembly. If this car has sat for any length of time, drain and at least blow out the gas tank. If it is the in-tank pump, pull out the tank and take it to a good radiator shop and have it cleaned professionally. My 93,which we bought as repo, ate three pumps due to fuel contamination in a little over a year.