I’ve ripped the exhaust off my 88’ V12 in prep for gutting the cats and adding an x-pipe. After taking off the downpipes, I was like holy crap. The pinch bolt for the rack is right there in the open. I believe the top washer is the leaky culprit so I’m going to order one and replace it. After I spent what felt like forever doing the bushings in the rack, I said I’d just keep putting fluid in it cause, I was never going to touch it again. But here we are! I love working on these cars.

 

Agreed on the pinch bolt thing. I replaced my rack at the same time I had the cat converter off and, wow, what a difference.

But, for those who won't be removing the headpipes/converters, the pinch bolt can be reached thru the wheel well (wheel removed) with a longish extension. Getting a backing wrench on the other side of the bolt is a challenge, though :-).

cheers
DD

 

Be careful how far you drive in the new top seal.
I made a drift that drives it in the correct amount, search for my post if you think it will help.
Very good video on living with a classic on utube but I stuffed my first seal driving it in to far and had to buy another.

 

I watched a vid on YouTube. Probably was yours

 

Pain in the *** but it’s out! Always take my time doing something the first time to study it all.
After getting it out I think it could use more love than just the “tower washer”.

 

Well done JJJ. That rack has poly bushes in it, so it has been off before, as they are not OEM, but a good upgrade anyway.
The rack needs a rebuild, which in the Uk at least, is not that expensive, so worth doing right. And why not get those new downpipes on while you have some more access?
Greg

 

yeah I put the poly bushings in a couple years ago. That’s why I said I would never tackle this job. I can’t believe I got those old bushings off with it still connected to the steering column. I literally used a small piece of a saw for a couple hours. You’d put the downpipes on first? I want the space to get the lines and pinch bolt back on

 

No rack on first, I was mixing you up with another poster who needed to get his downpipes changed.

 

ha ok, I was thinking 🤔

 

What the heck? I put a little pressure air to the washer and seal and shot it across the garage... is this the right piece?! Is this done after market rack? Did it melt into one?

 

Well no wonder my rack was leaking. Looking at numbers on it. It’s some generic national bearing piece. So does anyone know the # of the washer I need? I bought 3 in the pic below I need the washer above it now!

 

Anyone?? More detailed diagram or washer size?

 

I’ve searched for a day straight looking for this part! Only thing it’s in is the full sealing kit. I don’t feel like paying $100 for a seal. Could get a refurb rack for $180

 

Hello 944

Realize this might be no help at all - but in my green book - page 187, it shows an expanded view of the pinion seal.
#3 is the circlip
#4 nylon washer
#5 seal.

Doesn't marry up with the photo above from the Jaguar site, but this is from the early XJS section (hence don't think it overly helpful), but I could not find a difference in the supplements.



Cheers
Steve

 

Thanks for the pic.
I guess I’m starting to think that the washer is not as important as the seal? Although from what I’ve seen the washer looks like it seals along the I.D of the washer... well I guess I’m just going to try and find something and hope the seal #3 is what stops the leak.

 

Hahahaha.... That would be ME...

One of the first jobs I did I'm my 1990 was this,,,, the rack. X3... Maybe 4. OMG. What an introduction to the XJS. What I remember... When taking down and putting up leave the arms attached until last. Or even remove the arms all together. The arms will nicely and stiff-ly hold the weight of the rack while you move it around and get it in place...

And,,, my cat-less down pipes finally arrived after a shipping fiasco from the UK. They are placed but not tightened down all the way. Soon, most likely this coming Monday, oft to the muffler guy to fit the intermediate pipe section from the downs to the middle mufflers... Can't wait. Then,,, 1000 other little things to do after hitting the interior. BUT (God willing) after the muffler work she SHOULD be in a condition that I can just get in, start her up, and drive oft!

I've been spending all my time (and what little money I got) on a 2003 XKR Portfolio Convertible that took a swim in Texas... What an amazing thing. At this point only thing clearly not working is the fuel pump PWM system (does work with direct ground) and the little recirculation vent actuators - which will be easy...

​​​​​​Anyways - damn good work on that rack! No easy job, especially when your on your back down there.

 

About the washers and seals,,,, I have a book at home that gives great exploded veiws of everything on the doggone car. I'll look see and if it helps I will put up some part numbers and photos.

 

I found a rubber washer in the plumbing section of a hardware store that seemed to be the proper size. I got it in and put the clip in. Looks good but won’t know if it’s properly sealed until I get it in.... here’s to hoping!

 

Well I got the rack in and got the splines of the rack and steering column all lined up and in and then went to put the pinch bolt in and realized... oh there’s only one way it goes in so the bolt can get through the splines. So I had to basically drop the whole ****ing thing again and line up the rack. Absolute nightmare! Plus my craftsman trash socket wrenches are not holding properly. So half the time I’m trying to tighten a bolt and it clicks like you’re going the wrong way. Was on my back for 5hrs in 28 degree garage and my hands were numb. Never again!

the only advice or cheat I can give... since my downpipes are off. I was able to take the larger pressure hose off and thread it into the rack and then just push the hose back towards the pump and reconnect. So everything went quick until my pinch bolt mistake.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-place-222142/

here is what I did.. I had posted this but it did not show up????
I thought it would have helped.
Hell I did not have a nightmare like you, it took an hour out and an 2 hours in.
Stuffed the first seal but good with the second, no leaks.
But I was aware to make sure the spline lined up and it was a pain.

The drift made it much easier.
Oh and well done...