id more be looking at changing the worn out suspension parts, my 172 is on 40k/5yr old and i changed both bottom arms (with new bushes) both trackrod ends, 4 dampers (i got 172 cup items while i was at it) and eibach springs and what a difference it made! the car felt brand new, the little bit of play in the steering has gone and the handling was improved massively (obviously i used better springs so this would have been the main reason)