Steering Idler Arm Ball Joint - inspection

[andy_enuff]

Just taken the steering idler arm off the new Lux and the bushes seem ok - so that's the first reason for having vague wobbly steering put to bed - however the ball joint pin seems... how shall I put it - inconclusive. I'm not sure exactly how it's supposed to feel - should it have any play in it at all? I can move it a little bit from side to side with a 'fair' amount of force.

New idler arm unit if it's not supposed to be like that I assume!

[TonyN]

You kinda have to just make a call on it, its shouldn't be overly loose, the MOT will check for up to 3-5mmish up and down play in the joint.

With the wheel jacked up, turn it side to side and watch the ball joint, a little play isn't to bad, but if it looks 'loose' replace it.