406 estate 1.9TD Drag link

Gents
Getting ready for the MOT I had a look at the drag links on the rear of my
406 estate. There is a ball joint at one end and rubber bushes where it
attaches to the body. I was wondering if anyone knows the correct way to
test these as the bushes on both side seem very soft and can be squashed
when the bar is twisted towards the front or rear of the car.
Mike

 

Jack up car at back with hand break off, grab wheel at top and bottom and
pull back and forth, there should be no play in the suspension other than
the direction it is supposed to move in. As long as all bushes at joints
are intact (ie no splits or cracks) it should pass ok. Give wheel a spin
while it is up to check wheel bearing. Mine recently failed on the rear
tie bar (short rod about 10" long) bushes were fine but wheel had a side
to side movement of a couple of mm, rod had to be replaced as holes for
bushes had become oval! (too much high speed cornering) Hope this helps?!