Hi I have an 1985 300D Tubo. When I grab the tire at the 3 & 9 o'clock position I get a little movement. How much play is acceptable? I am experiencing a little wandering at times. Trying to figure out what it is. The tie rods were replaced less than 2 yrs. ago. Can they ware that quick?
Thanks in advance.

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Mike

Not the easiest thing to check alone. You want one hand free to feel the joints for actual play as pressure is applied to the wheel. You would feel the slack movement between the ball and socket. If only the outer joints were changed could be an inner tie rod joint for example. If it is really bad it will be visual. Even aftermarket should not be bad this soon. Like most of life there are exceptions of course. Just not likely unless you drive phenominal milage each year. You could as easy have loose wheel bearings instead for examplle.

I feel that if one piece on the steering system is out, replace is all. It's not expensive, and with $15 worth of tools, one could easily rebuild the whole system in an afternoon. I would say, in my opinion, an idler arm rebuild is where I would start. Is this wandering new, or has it been around for a while?

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1989 300E 144K