peter portugal

Apologise to Michael Cane but 1988 Ford Escort xr3i cabriolet, located Portugal since new,shipped straight out of Jackson Basingstoke to live as holiday toy. Just had annual MOTed (called an IPO)using a national test center with purpose built test tracks etc. It involved rolling road etc. including hydraulic aparatus to forces wheels apart, very aggressively, whilst tester inspects play in bearings-tie rod ends, the previous vehicle to me was a six wheel concrete truck on the same test lane. Having previously done my own manual check all was well before the check and it Passed on the day but immediately after it developed a clunk, over next 300miles traced to near side steering gear/rack the arm has 1/4inch plus play. Car now laid up until next visit and I need to take parts and tools to fix so started my research early. Is it likely to be a bearing in the end of the rack, the gaiter is like new, the movement is at 90 deg to rack i.e. not moving longer-shorter like wear in rack or pinion and only related to one wheel. Looks like the inner shaft is floating in the casing. Where can find section drawing, Haynes manual suggest refurbish is main dealer job any ideas. Special tools needed, can be done with rack in place via the wheel arch? Peter
Ps. Also whilst on the air, hood strut leaks, it has been used probably as often as the starter as always sunny ideas on obtaining strut only or new seals