Jack the car up so that the front wheels are off the ground.
Have your assistant turn the wheel from side to side slightly
while you grab each of the front wheels in turn and check
for excessive play.
Play
in the steering could be due to a worn steering rack, coupling
or insecurity of the steering column. All would fail an MOT.
While
you assistant turns the wheel more vigourously examine all the joints
and linkages for signs of wear or damage. Everything should remain
solid. Watch your fingers! Make sure no pieces rattle or wobble.
Any worn or damage peices must be replaced including the rubber
bushes at the linkage joints. The rubber must be solid. Old bushes
can become to pliable to do their job. If you check all the bushes
a worn one should stand out from the rest by providing more movement
than the rest. It is unlikely that all the bushes would need replacing
at the same time so worn ones should stand out.
Check power sterring pump for any signs of leakage and as prevoiusly
mentioned check that the steering goes lighter when engine is running.
Check the condition of the belts that drive the pully wheel on the
front of the pump and the hoses/pipes that come from the pump.
Make sure that all suspension parts are secure and intact. Also
any torsion bars, hyraulic displacer units etc. Check mountings
and brackets for any sign of excess wear or damge/corrosion. Any
hydraulic suspension pipes should be checked for leakage and damage.
While
you assistant turns the wheel more vigourously examine all the joints
and linkages for signs of wear or damage. Everything should remain
solid. Watch your fingers! Make sure no pieces rattle or wobble.
Any worn or damage peices must be replaced including the rubber
bushes at the linkage joints. The rubber must be solid. Old bushes
can become to pliable to do their job. If you check all the bushes
a worn one should stand out from the rest by providing more movement
than the rest. It is unlikely that all the bushes would need replacing
at the same time so worn ones should stand out. 