MOT Advisory - Play in steering rack inner joints
 

Hi,

My car just past it's MOT - so I'm happy :-)

However, it did have the advisory in the above title - when I asked for a little bit more information I was told that it's the part known as the "drumstick".

Is this a common problem? I don't think I've seen much mention of problems with the inner joints - how can I measure if this play is an MOT fail?

Tommy :-)

If Im right they are the inner tie rack ends, if you have been told that they are on the way out get them changed , ive just changed the ones on my vectra, dont leave them to long as they can cause tyre wear if they get to bad

The inner tie rods are available from DMGRS on here or Direct from Tazu parts also on here.
There is a special tool available on eBay to remove the old ones although it may be possible with stilsons. Cannot say first hand as I have not had to go there yet.

Have a look in the alternative part sources thread. There is (I think) a Vauxhall part which is an exact fit and much cheaper than Rover parts.

same as ford galaxy or Seat Alhamba ones...

Any advise on how to check if they are actually worn? Sometimes these advisories just seem to be at the whim of the tester.

Tommy :-)

My inner rack joints were an advisory on my last MOT. I've been under there to check them out and I cant find any play at all in mine so you may be right!

I just got my Father in laws 75 MOT'd today.
Last year i had to replace the offside drop link to get it through and there was an advisory that there was slight play in inner tie rods.

Today I had to replace the near side drop link to get it through but there was no mention of any play on the inner tie rods, and I ordered them from Tazu the other day!
Still at least I will have them here should we need them.

All such things do have some play, or you wouldn't be able to move the joint.

Jack the front end up, lash the steering wheel tightly so it cannot move, then get someone to rock the road wheel slightly side to side. You put your hand on the rack the other on the tie rod where it emerges from the bellows of the rack.

You might get a better feel, grasping if you can the tie-rod either side of the joint inside the bellows, because the above method will include a small amount of play in the rack itself.

Any play or noise doing that and they need replacing.

Its like a ball and socket joint. You are looking for any play between the ball and its socket.

Same here ! I had an advisory 4 years ago on play there , but the last 3 MOTs have never mentioned it :}
The garage that claimed there was play was .............Halfords ! I couldn't find any trace of play myself and don't use them anymore after several other disputed verdicts on various family cars :shrug: