Mot northern ireland fail meaning help

Jasonni89

My car failed it's mot and the tester didn't explain what was all needed. I can do the work myself but need help understanding the fail. 
The fail is Ma. Steering track rod/end, movement excessive. It's both side.
What I need to know is. 
Is that just the outer ends the car need?
Does it need both the inner rod and outer ends

Jasonni89

this is the fail sheet 

marlot

That looks straightforward - change both steering track rod ends.

Goudy

The reason for refusal is a little ambiguous.
There are a couple of different parts that is could be, the inner track/tie rods or the outer track rod ends.

The inner tie rods screw into the ends of the steering rack and have a ball and socket arrangement to allow movement which can wear if the gaiter leaks.

The outer track or tie rod ends are screwed onto the track rod and connect the steering to the hubs via a small ball joint.

It's more likely the track rod ends, but if you jack the wheels up, hold the road wheel and rock it while holding the track rod end, then tie rod inner end (under the gaiter), you should feel which is worn.

The inner tie rods can be a !!!!!! to change yourself, some have a large nut on them but usually require a special tool to get on it, others haven't and often need the rack to come off to remove them.

The outer tie road ends are fairly easy.
Remember to count the turns each takes to remove and screw the new ones on the same number of turns.
Though you still might want the wheel alignment checked after.