MOT advisory... Play in steering rack joints

[DNS]

Hi guys,

Just passed the MOT today... yaaay!

However, got a couple of advisories

- Play in steering rack inner joint
- Both rear tyres showing uneven wear (close to limit)

Questions...

What is the steering rack inner joint? Easy/cheap job to replace? Is this the track rod ball-joint?

Why have my rear tyres lasted less than 2 years (about 22k). I've never known a pair wear out so quickly before on the back.

[Ian-Highlander]

Usually I'd have said that uneven wear in the rear tyres is going to be either rear shocks gone or rear upper control arms gone (or both) but if it's passed the MOT today then that's less likely.

It's possible your camber settings are out but you'd need to get a Hunter re-alignment done to get that sorted and I'd replace the tyres before you have that done to be honest.

The Vecs are well known for eating rear brake pads like there's no tomorrow, but not seen any major issues with rear tyres unless there's another issue.

[m8internet]

What is the steering rack inner joint? Easy/cheap job to replace? Is this the track rod ball-joint?

This is the nearside end between the rack and rod
Usually the first sign of a rack on its way out
Not cheap either, start saving up now

Why have my rear tyres lasted less than 2 years (about 22k). I've never known a pair wear out so quickly before on the back

2 years for rear tyres is excellent
Presumably you've not been swapping rear to front as they have worn out
As above, suspect the rear camber is incorrect
Take the current rear tyres down to 3mm then replace them, full alignment check, then swap tyres as they wear

[DNS]

Is the track rod part this:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Va...0450b84&000347

I assume the wear is the cause of the knocking I've been having for a few months now (assumed it was drop links but replacing made no difference).

I'll get the rear tyres done when they wear down a bit more and then get alignmycar.co.uk to check everything out. I wonder if the worn rubber is why I've been getting a repetetive drone from the rear wheels recently...

Cheers guys.

[DNS]

Deleted

[GCusdin]

inner tie rod end as below
<a href="http://www.vauxhallworldparts.com">Vauxhall Parts</a></font><span class="style101"> | </span><font color="#FFFF00"><a href="http://www.vauxhallworldparts.com/va...7434">Vauxhall Part Number: 93187434</a><br>
I have the same advisory and found out it has been on the previous MOT's for 4 years and never been done.
Waiting to fit them at the moment. It took me ages to find out the term

[Critch]

Inner tie rods. Are £35 for pair from Vauxhall on trade.
Would also recommended changing the outer track rod at the same time.
And easy enough to change yeah.

Can post you a how to if needed or your looking at about 2 hours labour from a garage

[Critch]

This shows how much play I had in my tie rods
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/l...l/948f505f.mp4

[GCusdin]

can I have the how 2 as I only saw a video from an american car?
Bad for telling me to change the outer as well as I did not purchase this and was not aware it should be changed at the same time

[DNS]

Cheers guys. Parts I was expecting.

I'm planning on doing the work myself when I get time, will get the parts from motor factors tomorrow.