hello, my 98 xk8 has a steering feel imbalance when I'm in parking lots and driving around under 25mph, it drives like an old 1965 cadillac coup deville.

I take one pinky finger to steer the car around I cant stand it any longer...
Please help I dont think Jaguar would inadvertent build such light weight steering?

 

The XK8 has speed sensitive power steering...less effort at slow speed and more effort at high speed. This is common on many high end cars.

It is possible to disconnect it so it goes into a 'fault' mode which is effectively always mimimum power steering boost, or to add a switch to switch between normal and mimimum power steering boost. In my opinion this is a rather poor compromise.

I am developing (hopefully available in 2013) a driver controllable system thats lets you select a speed sensitve force 'profile' to match your taste or set the force to your liking in multiple steps while driving. Keep an eye out for it later next year.

 

Okay that sounds good but I was thinking could I use the steering rack from an XJ8 same year?
I ask because My parents have a 98 XJ8 without the variable rate steering, it drives like a proper car should.
I refuse to drive the Xk for in town trips, once the car is over 45mph it drive fine.

 

Well, why don't you try a little experiment first:

Pull out fuse number 12 from the driver's side(left) dash fusebox on your '98. It should be a 10 amp fuse. This will cause the variable power assist to go into fault mode and offer minimal assist (it will also disable the climate system, but you are just doing this temporarily as a test). See how you like the new steering feel.

If this works for you, I'll post what wire you need to clip to keep it in this mode (and restore the climate control of course).