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[Dingleberry]

Car in question is a 1999 3.0 MV6 auto

I have noticed for the last couple of days the car "wandering" a little when driving, found a dodgy track rod end that needs replacing, when im accelarating hard from standstill there is a loud groan from the front and the front does come up quite a bit  

I have been out and had a look at the wishbones they "look" ok, what is the maximum allowable play in the bushes ?  :-/

[largecol]

To be honest its worth jacking the front up and giving the wheels a shake back and forth holding at 3-9 o`clock and 12-6 o`clock. If the freeplay is anything other than minimal get `em looked at.

[Welung666]

Steering wander is normally the idler.

[Dingleberry]

The play in the wisbone bushes is about 1-2mm when levering with a screwdriver (no effort) and i know the track rod end is knacked cause there is play at 3 & 9 o'clock

[Turk]

I had play at 3&9. My bottom ball joint was the issue. My bushes were ok.
Turn the wheel so you can see the t/rod end and steering idler arm and give it another 3&9 check whilst watching both. If no movement can be seen but play in the wheel and clonking sound can be heard then it's possibly the bottom ball joint (at least it was on mine last week).
If you can hear a humming sound whilst driving then it may be the wheel bearings. Listen out for it lessening on roundabouts and similar left hand bends. If the humming lessens on a left hander then I've found the left hand wheel bearing is at fault. Same applies on roundabouts and right hand bends for the right hand side.  

The weight bias is transfered to the wheel on the outside of the bend/roundabout and the faulty bearing hum lessens on the lighter side until the weight is back equally on both wheels again.

This is just my theory but it's worked for me in identifying which bearing was suspect over the last 8 Miggy owning years, even when there was no play when the wheels were checked manualy.

[feeutfo]

change em. If your not aware of new wishbones being fitted within the last 4 years or so, thats reason alone imho. They dont last for ever.
The bushes are rubber, so there will be controlled movement even when new, key word being controlled. If they are worn or split the road wheel can run out over tram lines and give you a wondering feel/constant corrections on the stearing wheel.

Jack the car and examine visually and lever with a bar. Look into the rubber itself for any splits or tears. Lever with a bar for any slop/non controlled movement.

Also check rear sub frame bushes. Can have the same effect. Triangular plate under rear doors. Shine a torch in there and look for the rubber splitting away from the cup. This shows up most on
A roads with a well painted white line. Let the right side wheels move over the line(nothing coming obviously) and feel for the back of the car. If you feel the back resist as the rear wheels touch the line and then dive over the other side in a more sudden movement, then in my experience you need new rear bushes. although there are some issues with fitting these at the moment. They are proving difficult to press fully home.

[Cybertrucker]

If you can hear a humming sound whilst driving then it may be the wheel bearings. Listen out for it lessening on roundabouts and similar left hand bends. If the humming lessens on a left hander then I've found the left hand wheel bearing is at fault. Same applies on roundabouts and right hand bends for the right hand side.  

The weight bias is transfered to the wheel on the outside of the bend/roundabout and the faulty bearing hum lessens on the lighter side until the weight is back equally on both wheels again.

This is just my theory but it's worked for me in identifying which bearing was suspect over the last 8 Miggy owning years, even when there was no play when the wheels were checked manualy.

It's a good theory, and worked for me a few years ago on my Granada as well!