Tires, tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings. They all wear out and loosen up. An easy check is to get under the front of the car so you can see the tie rod ends. Have the wife roll the steering wheel left and right about 180 deg. repetedly - about 1sec. in each direction. Worn tie rod ends will sometimes "pop" up a little each time the direction changes. Also you can wrap a rag, single layered, around the ends and hang on to each one while they are moving side to side. You should not feel any clicking or popping. If you can see movement, I'd replace them.

You can use this test to generally observe the condition of the joints too. You shouldn't see them "working" up and down or moving side to side in relation to themselves. This is to say that there should be no observable radial or axial play for lack of a better description.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250