Play in steering wheel

Lo there

Got L reg disco, seem to have got some play in my steering wheel and sometimes a little "clunk" that comes through the steering wheel. Someone has told me my "drag link" or "track rod ends might need replacing. When i drive it, it seems to wonder a little bit on the road......

Any ideas ?????

Cheers
BurgerKing (Wayne)

Check forplay in track rod ends by jacking each wheel up (individually) and 'wiggling' wheel. TRE's should not allow lateral movement unless worn. I check also for vertical play with a crowbar tosee if TRE is worn (sometimes there can be a 'sticking point' where TRE is tight but play at other times - not explaining very well (easy to imagine but harder to describe). Drop link off steering box can also wear causing noise & vague steering - check TRE's first as they're cheaper . Same symptons can also bee caused by wear in column uj & stuffed shocks or suspension bushes and 'toe-out'. (clunk & wander). Start by (engine off) watching column (inengine bay) while someone wobbles steeering wheel. If play in steeering anywhere, you should be able to se it by working your way 'away'from steering wheel to wheels. Drop link arm can be an absolute b**tard to remove (for changing bj) - it's on a taper but constant as I was shown by a real mechanic (and technique works for TRE's too), constant pressure(from a crowbar) and judicious appliance of a No.1 spanner (hammer) works eventually.
I don'tknow the technical term with coillers but equivalent of Railko bushes/kingpin stubs can also cause symptoms you describe - check vertical play with wheel off ground.
HTH

i had same problem on a 200 series disco it was steering box sold it before i got involved. wish i had fixed it now