What is the allowed amount of tie rod play during inspection?

Tie rod play is a critical factor in steering and suspension systems because it connects the steering mechanism to the wheels. For a vehicle to be deemed safe for operation, the tie rods must be in proper condition, contributing to precise steering and overall vehicle control. Excessive play can lead to a variety of safety issues, including poor handling and the potential for loss of control while driving.

The inspection criteria state that any significant amount of play in the tie rods is unacceptable. This is because even a small amount of play can affect the steering response and vehicle stability. Therefore, the correct answer indicates that any allowable tie rod play during inspection is none, meaning that there should be no movement detected in the tie rods when the vehicle is inspected.

This stringent requirement ensures that vehicles on the road maintain safe steering capabilities, thereby protecting both drivers and others on the road from potential accidents due to steering failure.