My 96 has 225K miles on it. All OEM steering stuff. No real issues with steering, and no worrisome thunks or clunks, although I have no doubt the steering has more play in it than when it was new. But the last time I checked I didn't have any side to side movement at the wheels.

I recently notice both my tie rod boots were torn. I'm planning on replacing the ball joints while I'm at, since they're pretty cheap and do fail from time to time. Think I should replace the inner tie rods too? Are they as prone to failure as ball joints? Would that tighten up the steering at all?

 

At over 200k, it would be money well spent. I just did mine, the entire front end too. All the old parts were in descent shape, no noticeable play really. But the new components were noticeably tighter, to the point they changed the ride of the car.

Change them, get it aligned, enjoy the ride.

 

If you are going in there replace the inner and outer tie rods, ball joints and bushings. might as well do it in one clean sweep and then get it aligned. that way you wont need to revisit any of it later.

 

I did mine, the steering wheel feels tighter. You can get back arnley ones in 2 days from carpartkings.com. There's comes with the boot.

If the boots are torn, dirt gets in and dries that sticky, disgusting yellow grease inside