Jaguar XJ X351 steering
Discussion
Hi - any help for a newbie ?
Have had my '2011 XJ Super Sport for a while now and never been truly happy with the steering. It seems to be overly light and needs frequent correction even on motorway. I've done all the obvious things...replaced tyres, 4 wheel alignment, played around with tyre pressures but the problem persists.
Is this just a feature of these cars or do I have a problem ?
I'd really welcome any thoughts or advice. Thank you.
Have had my '2011 XJ Super Sport for a while now and never been truly happy with the steering. It seems to be overly light and needs frequent correction even on motorway. I've done all the obvious things...replaced tyres, 4 wheel alignment, played around with tyre pressures but the problem persists.
Is this just a feature of these cars or do I have a problem ?
I'd really welcome any thoughts or advice. Thank you.
4 wheel alignment is static not dynamic.
It's possible to set geometry perfectly on the ramp when stationary but if there's any excess movement in the suspension that'll go out of the window once the vehicle is loaded up dynamically on the road. Are there any clues in wear patterns on the new tyres? Any unusual or uneven feathering or scrubbing or excess wear on the inside or outside edges or darker bands around the tread circumference anywhere? Don't just look, run your hands all over the tyre tread in all directions and feel too.
Take the car out for a brisk drive then stop and immediately feel across the tyre treads - any warmer in some areas? Any squealing in low speed tight turns - polished concrete in multi storey car parks is great as a test for this - or increase in road noise when cornering?
Does the steering self castor properly? Does the wheel return straight equally well on both left and right turns and is an equal steering effort needed to enter similar left and right turns?
Any tramlining? You might get a little on cars with comparatively wide tyres relative to the vehicle weight but if it's prominent and noticeable then that suggests alignment inaccuracies.
Does the car pull in either direction? There's sometimes a slight drift down the camber to the nearside apparent but you should be able to let go of the wheel and expect the car to run reasonably straight for a few moments. If you can't then something is definitely wrong.
I'd take it to a Jaguar specialist for a complete suspension check over before you throw any more cash at it.
It's possible to set geometry perfectly on the ramp when stationary but if there's any excess movement in the suspension that'll go out of the window once the vehicle is loaded up dynamically on the road. Are there any clues in wear patterns on the new tyres? Any unusual or uneven feathering or scrubbing or excess wear on the inside or outside edges or darker bands around the tread circumference anywhere? Don't just look, run your hands all over the tyre tread in all directions and feel too.
Take the car out for a brisk drive then stop and immediately feel across the tyre treads - any warmer in some areas? Any squealing in low speed tight turns - polished concrete in multi storey car parks is great as a test for this - or increase in road noise when cornering?
Does the steering self castor properly? Does the wheel return straight equally well on both left and right turns and is an equal steering effort needed to enter similar left and right turns?
Any tramlining? You might get a little on cars with comparatively wide tyres relative to the vehicle weight but if it's prominent and noticeable then that suggests alignment inaccuracies.
Does the car pull in either direction? There's sometimes a slight drift down the camber to the nearside apparent but you should be able to let go of the wheel and expect the car to run reasonably straight for a few moments. If you can't then something is definitely wrong.
I'd take it to a Jaguar specialist for a complete suspension check over before you throw any more cash at it.
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