XJ Handling

[BillyOneMate]

The handling on my XJ is pretty shocking, seems i need to turn the steering wheel at least an inch before the wheels start to move, and even then it's vague at best, any ideas what i should be looking at to correct this?
Anyone else had a similar issue?
thnaks

[layback40]

There should be an adjustment bolt on the steering box. I think you loosen the lock nut & screw it in a bit to take the slack out.

[anthonygubbin]

Originally Posted by layback40

There should be an adjustment bolt on the steering box. I think you loosen the lock nut & screw it in a bit to take the slack out.

There is but I looked at doing it and you can cause problems if it is not done right, hence why I left it. Sounds like the box is pretty worn. From what people on here told me adjustment only solves it temporarly anyway. I could be wrong so don't take it as gospel. Othere people may have done the adjustment with some success. They also told me that the box really need to be removed when doing the procedure. I don't think the adjuster screw is that strong or something like that.

Regards A

[shakes]

Have you had a wheel alignment done recently? That can also cause vague handling, and will rule out a few things for not much $$$ before you start chasing your tail with other things. (yes if it's not that you will need to get it done again but often on the jig you will spot other issues)

On that, Has anyone wound on more than stock castor in their XJ's? Mine is still a little lighter than I would like on the freeway I can't see any clearance issues, apart from heavier steering when slow is there any issue's to putting a fraction more in there?

[anthonygubbin]

Yerr my first port of call would be a front end inspection. If the XJ is up in miles and possibly not been greased up at the correct intervals all the ball joints could possibly be buggard, that includes tierod ends. What you may find if it gets checked out that there is a little bit of play in everything which mounts up to a lot. Although the steering box definitly sounds worn. If it is the steering box only then a reco one would be best. Mine has play and it has had a pretty easy life, compared to some.

Regards A

[rainman]

Look at the track bar.
On the diff make sure the bolt is tight no movement.
Make sure the tiered end is tight.
Make sure the bolts attaching the bracket that the tiered attaches to are tight/ holes are not flogged out.
Check sub frame for cracks.
Slop in the track bar will cause exactly what you describe. As will some of the other things mentioned above.
Get a friend to wiggle the steering wheel while you lay under the front end looking at the steering gear/ track bar. It will out itself.
Good luck with it.

[junglejuice]

Mine has always had the 1950's tv show steering, I recently swapped out the steering box due to mine leaking and the replacement was very responsive no vagueness what so ever, only thing is it pulls to the right...

I have had more caster on mine but you need to be careful of the pinion angle for the front tailshaft.....