I have a bit of play in my steering for a while now. I assumed a worn UJ. Tonight I took a closer look and found that the play is in the pinion. As you turn the steering the pinion moves in and out a few milimetres (probably about 3-4mm). I have a spare rack to fit so fixing the problem isn't an issue I guess the question is what has worn to do this. The rack is a cortina quick rack (2.5 turns)

thanks

almost certainly right but there are a couple of possible "fixes".

You can shim the rack up a touch tighter than book spec and you can shim behind the pinion circlip to load it up to one end of its endfloat as well, though the latter is fiddly as the shims will be a pita to get in.

"PITA" - like I said I have a spare rack so It will be easier to just pull the old one out (only 4 bolts and 2 rod ends). Thinking back I would say I probably damaged it when I span at silverstone earlier in the year (went over the black and white kerb sideways).

yea that would probably bend it!