Steering Linkage Issues

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 12 other vehicles, including the 2015 Jaguar XKR-S, 2015 Jaguar XKR, 2015 Jaguar XK, 2014 Jaguar XKR-S, and 2014 Jaguar XKR. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM	POSSIBLE CAUSES	ACTION
Excessive free play at steering wheel (Refer to: STEERING LINKAGE INSPECTION AND BACKLASH (FREE PLAY) CHECK in this service information.)	Steering wheel fixings insecure	Check and tighten the steering wheel retaining bolt as required (Refer to: STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Excess play in the steering linkage	Refer to Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort - Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
	Steering gear not correctly adjusted (causing excessive backlash	CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to adjust the steering gear yoke. Failure to follow this instruction will invalidate the steering gear warranty Refer to Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort - Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
	Lower steering column universal joint pinch bolts loose	Check and tighten the lower steering column pinch bolts as required (Refer to: STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Excessive wear in steering column universal joints	Refer to: Pinpoint Tests within COMPONENT TESTS (Steering Column / Diagnosis and Testing).
	Steering gear mounting bolts loose or damaged	Check/tighten and install new steering gear mounting bolts as required (Refer to: STEERING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Wear in steering gear tie-rod end ball joints NOTE: Inner ball joint wear is rare. The steering gear installed to all Jaguar vehicles has a spring loaded pinion to ensure the correct level of engagement between the rack and pinion. This play is optimized with the steering gear in the central position and should not be confused with inner ball joint wear. Check for vertical motion in the inner ball joint with the steering gear in the central position. Wear in steering gear inner ball joints	Refer to Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort - Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
	Wear in suspension ball joints/bushings	Check and install new components as required
Vehicle wanders from side to side when driven straight ahead and the steering wheel is held in a firm position	Incorrect tire pressure or tire size	Check and adjust the tire pressures as required (Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS (Wheels and Tires). Check and install a new tire as required
	Vehicle is unevenly or excessively loaded	Notify the customer of incorrect vehicle loading
	Incorrect toe adjustment	Check and adjust as required (Refer to: FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT (Suspension System - General Information/General Procedures)
	Loose or worn steering gear tie-rod end(s)	Refer to Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort - Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
	Loose or worn suspension ball joint(s)	Check/tighten and install a new suspension ball joint assembly as required (Refer to: FRONT SUSPENSION (Specification)
	Steering column universal joint pinch bolt loose	Check/tighten the steering column universal joint pinch bolt to the correct torque specification. (Refer to: POWER STEERING -- XK/X150 (Specification)
	Loose or worn rear suspension components	Check/tighten and install new rear suspension components as required (Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS (Rear Suspension)
Poor self center action of the steering	Incorrect tire pressure, size or type Incorrect geometry adjustment	Check/adjust the tire pressure and install correct tire as required (Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS (Wheels and Tires) NOTE: Dealerships must keep a copy of the BEFORE and AFTER geometry figures with job card for future reference Check and adjust as required (Refer to: SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION (General Procedures)
	Steering column/steering column lower shaft interference	Check the steering column and steering column lower shaft are free from interference from the engine harness, sound proofing and floor covering
	Steering column shroud fouling on the steering wheel	Correctly install/align as necessary
	Steering column universal joints binding or stiff	Refer to: Pinpoint Tests within COMPONENT TESTS (Steering Column / Diagnosis and Testing).
	Steering column lower shaft floor seal incorrectly installed, binding or damaged	Correctly install or install new lower shaft as required.
	Binding or damaged steering gear tie-rod(s)	Refer to Heavy Steering/Steering Requires Uneven Effort - Steering System Free Play Checks pinpoint tests below, GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
	Loose, damaged or worn front suspension components	Check/tighten and install new front suspension components as required (Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS (Front Suspension).