Hi Guys,

I've got an '86 240 wagon that has loose steering. When I grab a front wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and shake it back and forth, I hear a knocking sound and there seems to be excessive play. Do I have a worn rack, or a tie rod problem?

Thanks,
Dave

I'm betting tie rod, inner joint. You need a new tie rod if that is correct. But you can tell where the slop is (one thing moves while the adjacent thing doen't) by looking as someone twists.

Good idea, I'll have someone else shake the wheel while I watch. If it's the inner joint, does that mean the problem lies in the rack itself?

Cheers,
Dave

Not necessarily, the inner tie rod is a removeable part that definitely does wear out. Not that difficult at all to remove and replace, but you will really need to get a realignment once you're done. And since you have the rod off, you could easily put a new outer tie rod end on (I would, without a doubt, do this - the tie rod end is only a few bucks more - then you start saying to yourself, "maybe I should change both sides while I'm at it - then I only need to get the alignment once" You'd be right. To do both sides only takes a little more time and money, and if one side is failed, it'll only be a short while until the other side fails). Some would say you could measure and make sure the new part is the same as the old thereby avoiding a realignment, but I wouldn't bet on it. Good luck

Thanks, I'll plan on replacing the outer tie rod ends and rack boots, too.

Dave

One more thing. It might be something else entirely (Ball joints, Control arm bushings, etc). Make sure you know what's loose before you start going to buy replacement parts.