2. Visually inspect the ball joint dust boots and rack and pinion steering gear boots for cracks, abrasions, and aging. Any wear on these boots will result in loss of lubricant and entry of water and dirt, resulting in rapid wear of the ball joints or steering gear.
3. Raise the car with a jack, take the wheel with your hands at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and try to rock it in a vertical plane.
4. A very small amount of wheel play is acceptable, but if the play is large enough, further inspection is necessary to determine the source.
5. Continue pumping the wheel, while the assistant should press the foot brake.
6. If the play is eliminated or significantly reduced, the hub bearings are likely damaged.
7. If there is still significant play with the brake applied, there is wear in the suspension joint and mounting.
8. Now take the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions and try to rock it horizontally. The presence of play in the horizontal plane can be caused by wear of the hub bearing or the ball joints of the steering rod. If the outer or inner ball joint is worn, the play will be obvious.