Steering Knock
 

Since I've had the car there has always been a slight knock felt through the steering wheel. At first I thought I'd solved it by changing the top front wishbone bushes, they just fell apart with very little intact rubber left. It certainly felt better after the change, but I could always feel that there was something not quite right. So yesterday, got her upon the ramps while my eldest nudged the steering wheel left and right. I was hoping it was going to be the rack mounts but there was no play on that part and I couldn't see any visible play on the ball joints or track rods. When I put my hand on the rack at the pinion end, you could feel a slight click. When I removed the boot on that side , you could see the rack gear move slightly side to side in its bearing as it became loaded. Now I'm faced with a few questions. If I get a seal kit, does it come with any bearings or bushes? Do I take a chance on a used rack from a breakers? Are refurbed racks just treated to new seals or do they replace the bushings? Would I get my deposit back on the returned rack with it in this condition as the bushing I keep talking about may just be the rack external casting and not a replaceable part? Would this issue be an MOT fail as mine is due in 4 weeks. Alot of questions I know but I've already spent a fortune on her and i dont want to waste more cash than I need to.

thanks
Paul

oh well , took a chance on a used rack with 12 months guarantee, sports version as well and only £50