Free play at steering wheel

[trefor]

I have a '95 PAS Chimaera. I'm sure it has recently started to have a little more free movement when I turn the steering wheel. i.e. with the ignition off, sit in the driver's seat and try to turn the wheel. I haven't measured the amount, but there is a definitely a tiny amount of free play before it 'stiffens up'. Around 1/2 inch either way at a guess (I will measure tonight). The car had a new rack fitted 5 years ago (When I got the car basically).

- Could this be an indication of an expensive PAS rack rebuild coming up?
- Could it be a problem with the steering column UJ (which I've never had done).
- Is there a limit to the free play allowed at MOT time? (next month for me).

Thanks for any hints/advice.

Trefor/.

[trefor]

Ta - track rod ends are an easy enough job - I should have thought about that myself. I had one snap on me once on my mk1 Escort (studentmobile) ... a nice guy gave me a ride to the local motorists discount to get another and I fitted it in 10 mins. There are decent people out there!

T/.