Hi everyone, I've a 1988 Volvo 760GLE

Over the past week, I'd been having less responsive steering, and occasionally hearing a pop from the left front drivers wheel area. Jacking up the car, I saw that underneath the rubber boot there was play at the inner tie rod and I could feel it when I'd have someone move the steering wheel around. Right now I've got new tie rod ends and a couple inner tie rods from Autozone. I saw that where the socket where the rack comes out of the steering unit, that there is some play there. Now, I don't know if that is still within spec? And perhaps there's no play there when there's a load on the tie-rod?

I just want to know if I should continue with the repair or just cut my losses, and return the stuff and invest in a reman'd rack, but I don't think I'd be able to put it in at that point.

Thank you!
-Darrell