407 steering rack play

[moizeau]

Just changed to track rod end due to an advisory and went to have the tracking done. 'Waste of time mate' was the response once the car was in the air and he'd gone round all corners checking for free play.
There is play in the front right hand track rod to steering column. The same corner as the track rod end was changed, so it must have masked the issue.
He confirmed this by pulling down on the steering arm (gaitor) and the play disappeared. He also said a special tool is needed to do the job. I have no idea what's in there (the bits protected by the gaitor)? Has anyone ever delved in there? Can this be done on the drive and are special tools needed? I'm guessing it is a UJ? The BOL's just say that the track rod end and the gaitor can be changed, everything else should be done by Pug?
Could someone please enlighten me.
Thanks

[RichardW]

It's just a ball and socket, screwed into the end of the rack. Usually no flats on it, so you need to get it with a large set of water pump pliers (if there's enough room past the edge of the subframe / suspension) or you need a special tool that goes over the track arm and has a roller type mech in the end to grip it (kind of like a stud extractor). Pug probably say that you should use a special tool to stop counter rotation of the of rack, but I'm willing to bet >99% are changed without it!

[moizeau]

Thank you very much Richard, watched a Youtube earlier for changing the gaitor and saw the ball and socket. Next question will be on a part number. Thanks again

[moizeau]

Done, last week, 2 pump pliers undid it very easily, no threadlock, looks like it's original. Biggest issue was trying to get the clip back on. I normally use nail pliers but no access due to the steering pipes. The autodoc vid is obviously a LHD. After looking up side crimping tools for an hour and thinking about modding a pair of wire cutters,,,,,,,,,,,remembered it doesn't rotate like a CV so used a hose clamp. Sorted. 12 euros and 15 mins (without the faffing) TRW part. The new one went on with a bit of Loctite 243.