nile13

I had an inspection station complain about play in my driver's side inner tie rod yesterday. I'm fairly sure that they just trying to extort a repair, but... what's the easy way to check for play there?

Had steering rack replaced about 2K miles ago in the fall. The guy doing replacement is a trusted P-car mechanic and did not indicate any issues at the time. I feel no vibration or any other oddness at speed or otherwise. I'm sure the inspection people (not my usual station, my own damn fault) are full of it, but want to double-check.

johnsjmc

Jack up a wheel and while holding the rim shake it side to side You are trying to sense any lost motion in the rack and linkage. You might have someone hold the steering straight ahead at the time since some motion will carry back to move the st wheel. Normal movement would be something like 1/4 in at the rim .If you detect something ,then have an assistant shake while you grasp around the outer and inner joints and see if you can tell which joint is more loose than another. Be careful being under a car only supported by a jack especially when it is being shaken. Or take it to another shop for a second opinion.

Christian J

Or send me a PM and I'll let you know where to get a sticker.

nile13

Oh, there's no problem with getting a sticker I'm curious if there's something real to worry about in the suspension.