E46 - how much play in steering column is normal?

[john_p]

E46 328.. 128k - Had lower steering joint, control arms bushes and tie rods replaced recently and still getting a shake/rattle in the steering. Corners fine but on the straights it still seems to fight on tramlines, bumps etc.

I'm wondering if either the rack or the upper steering column are worn.. can anyone tell me how much play they get in their upper steering column at the upper joint, and in the rack at the bottom? Best done with a cold engine, as you're right by the exhaust.

Mine seems to rattle quite a lot and make a knocking noise, and there seems to be quite a lot of play in the rack too, so I'm wondering what's normal and what isn't...