Hi guys,with the wheels on and the car jacked up, if i move and wobble the drivers side wheel there is a fair amount of up and down movement inside the rack on the drivers side. Next to none on the passenger side. Is this normal? I have removed some of the shims in the top cover that has the spring and rack nylon bush (top cover) and its a bit better. With all the shims removed its better, but the rack tightens up as there is too much pressure on the mesh. Anyone the guru?
 

.........in a nutshell, as an ex VACC Vehicle Examiner, I can throw some light on your dilemma, which may render your vehicle Unroadworthy and possibly unsafe/dangerous.
"RWC standards require no excessive movement in any direction, except normal operational direction, of any steering or suspension component"
So, if any Bush, Bearing, Ball Joint, Insulator, Main Component, Minor Component, or Mounting, is not within "specs", it must be replaced. Alignment Geometry must also be within "specs".
Only when all the above is done, to Industry Standards, to front and rear ends, will you be problem-free.
Usually, only a Qualifed Mechanic has the skills and knowledge to satisfy Standards.
A non Qualified Mechanic can learn, with correct tools, study and practise, to achieve Standards.
Hope this helps
 

Thanks for the explanation on how the vehicle inspection and repair works in Victoria, not sure that that has anything to do with the question (steering rack movement)??????, but thanks anyway.
 

Probably the plastic bush behind the tierod