I have recently replaced the bushings for the idler arm in the search for a small but irritating steering "defect".

today i had the car up on jacks while putting summer rims on and noticed that on the right side I can move the wheel fore and aft while this can't be done on the left side wheel.

The only thing I can see or feel that causes this is that the idler arm moves radially in it's bushing allowing it's tip moving up and down when jerking on the right side wheel.

How much movement is allowed here?
My feel is that it should be almost rock solid as the steering box is.

The bushing were not bought from a dealer but had the same manufacturer as some other parts I bought there another time.

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/Per

MB E300TDT -98