Steering wheel knocking

[Hovhaness]

Hello gents,

Since I bought my low-milage XKR I have been using it as my daily driver and we have already completed two great road trips to Belgium and Scotland. Obviously now that the car is being used more intensively, problems are starting to show.
Since a few weeks I'm having a knocking sensation in the steering wheel, especially noticable when starting to move with wheels turned, such as when entering a rounabout or exiting a street. I also have the impression of a little bit of play and the constant need for input in order to keep a straight line (especially on the motorway).
Well guys, I hope that someone has an idea what it could be, solutions and a price estimate?
And please God spare me from more costly repairs as having spent over £5k in three months might start affecting my fondness of the old bird.

[mike020150]

Remote diagnosis without seeing the car is impossible but a wandering car is usually caused by: worn wishbone bushes or worn ball joints either on the front or rear suspension. Other causes are incorrect tyres/tyre pressures. I am concerned that your car has a noticeable knock and for safety's sake, that should be diagnosed properly as soon as possible. It could be something coincidental to the steering issue or it could be something related and serious (expensive) like wear in the front subframe. Equally, it could be a relatively cheap fix like a worn anti-roll bar rubber bush. Either way, don't delay before getting a diagnosis. Mike.

[Hovhaness]

Hey Mike!

Thank you for your insight, I will have it checked soon as I also am not feeling happy when noticing the knocking in the steering wheel whilst driving.
By sheer luck I saw that the latest issue of "Classics & Sport Car" magazine, starring the XKR, mentiones a knocking sensation in the steering wheel as something to look out for. So I started digging and apparently Jaguar issued a technical bulletin in October 2002 regarding this knocking sensation in 1998-1999 XK's. I will take all info to Tom Lenthall one of the next few days.

Probably tomorrow I'll try to get a link uploaded which takes you to a rattle/clancking sound from the front suspension when driving over small indentations such as cats eyes. Even Tom doesn't find it immediatly as I have a completely new front subframe and they saw nothing whilst fitting all that in. This is my next technical issue to tackle.

Thanks a lot for all your input Mike!

[mike020150]

There was an early bulletin for cars before VIN A11051 when a modified lower steering column was fitted (the modified lower steering column has a rubber coupling - easily checked). However, the fact that your car wanders suggests that the issue is likely to be less subtle and could be more basic. Mike.