What is the maximum allowable play in a manual steering wheel before it must be repaired?

Steering wheel free play of more than 10 degrees, which equates to approximately 2 inches of movement on a 20-inch diameter steering wheel, makes a vehicle difficult to steer accurately and is considered a defect that must be corrected before operation. Excessive play means the driver's input does not translate quickly into front wheel response, which is especially dangerous at highway speeds where small steering corrections matter. The 10-degree threshold is a federal standard. Some play is normal in any steering system due to gear lash and the joints in the steering linkage, so a strict 'any play' rule is impractical. Check steering play with the engine running, gripping the wheel and turning gently side to side until the front wheels just begin to move.