I've noticed some vibration and "looseness" in the steering recently on my 97 Passat.
Last weekend, when I had the front end up for an oil change, I did a quick check for obvious wear items. The passenger side wheel did seem to have some play in it (side to side, in the direction of steering). Not alot, maybe 1/8" at the wheel edge. Driver's side seem tight.
I tried to locate the source of this play, ball joint, and steering joint seem tight. It appeared that the play was in the rod going into the steering R&P. But there is no play on the other end, the right side. Is this possible? Are the two control arms just opposite ends of one rod inside the R&P or are they independant?
And I suppose I should ask, does this mean I am looking for a new R&P, or are there wear items on the outside of the R&P that might be causing this looseness?
TIA
Last weekend, when I had the front end up for an oil change, I did a quick check for obvious wear items. The passenger side wheel did seem to have some play in it (side to side, in the direction of steering). Not alot, maybe 1/8" at the wheel edge. Driver's side seem tight.
I tried to locate the source of this play, ball joint, and steering joint seem tight. It appeared that the play was in the rod going into the steering R&P. But there is no play on the other end, the right side. Is this possible? Are the two control arms just opposite ends of one rod inside the R&P or are they independant?
And I suppose I should ask, does this mean I am looking for a new R&P, or are there wear items on the outside of the R&P that might be causing this looseness?
TIA