Track Rods or Steering Rack?

[Brunoandrade98]

My 197 has side-to-side play on the front passenger wheel.

Took it to a garage not long ago to take a look at my engine and they also pointed out that the inner and outer track rods were shot on both sides and needed replacing.

To be honest, I can only see play on one side of the car, but I tend to replace components like these on both sides, anyway, and I have the parts ready to go.
My question, however, is...how do I know it's actually the track rods, rather than the steering rack?

The car does make an awful loud noise when turning the wheel when stationary - Doesn't feel right at all and I never heard that noise from a bad track rod


Any help with assessing and diagnosing the steering rack would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[RSRowe]

There's no real way to tell, other than fitting the new parts and listening out for the noise again.
Rack problems are fairly rare, but can happen.

The noise you describe sounds like it could be an issue with one of the swivel joints.

 

[Brunoandrade98]

There's no real way to tell, other than fitting the new parts and listening out for the noise again.
Rack problems are fairly rare, but can happen.

The noise you describe sounds like it could be an issue with one of the swivel joints.

When you say "swivel joints", do you mean in the hub carriers?

Please don't be my hub carriers...I really can't be fucked to change the ball joints

 

[VeiRoNv2]

Only way to tell for sure it's to take both the inner and outer track rods out and inspect the joints and the rack itself.

I haven't done it myself but apparently there is also a bush on the nearside inside the rack that is replaceable and might be worn.