I am replacing my track bar, and while I was digging around in my steering components, I found that my drag link has a lot of play on the right side. I think I may be able to tighten the bolt on top to fix it, but I'm not sure if it's supposed to be loose?

Link to video of it
or https://photos.app.goo.gl/kuBPaQGR1essa6QK7

Also, I'm done wrenching for the night, but if someone knows that it's not fixable by adjusting the nut, let me know so I can go by autozone tomorrow and grab a new one on my way to my buddy's garage where I'm fixing my car. Thanks.

 

It dont nessecsrily look bad. The test is to have a helper turn steering wheel full lock to lock while the motion is observed. The ball socket should move and allow motion transfer with no backlash. What you demonstrated is not a valid test.

 

ok, thanks. I will do that tomorrow and see how it looks. Thanks!

 

Like Rob said, it could be fine. My standard advice is to have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth about 1/2 turn with it on the ground while you look and feel for any slop in the components.

 

That video doesn’t seem to show any slop; it looks like the arm is rotating on the end joint ***** as it should.

 

That is not the kind of play you need to worry about. That is normal tie rod end ability to accommodate angles. The kind you need to worry about would be back and forth in your pic