Help me Paul! I looked in the archives but I couldn't find what I needed.

I have a 1983 242 Turbo (built in Belgium -- that may or may not be important) with an M46 and about 200K miles (who knows, since the odometer only works when the moon is in the seventh house).

I tried to get an alignment this afternoon, and the nice guy told me he couldn't do it because the front passenger tie rod end was "loose" (I always thought a tie rod end was busted or it wasn't). So, he calls his mythical parts supplier and gets me a quote of $79.95 for the part (not to mention shipping, labor, and the alignment). I go home and call Napa, who has no listing in his computer of any steering components for my car. Then I call Auto Zone, who said the computer asked him a bunch of questions about cam gear racks and ZF steering and if the bellows clamps to a donut or straight to the tie rod end (that one's easy enough to find out on my own), but he told me I could get an inner tie rod end for $24.99 + shipping (which sounded a little cheap to me). I called the nearest Volvo dealership (an hour away) and they told me there was no way for me to figure it out what kind of parts I'd need -- I'd have to bring it to them and have them put it on the rack (and this service is not free).

So, my question is -- could one of you all tell me what kind of steering system I have, or could you tell me how to find out?

Also, how do I know if it's the tie rod end or the ball joints? Is there some kind of test I can do?

I would appreciate any insights in this matter.

Thanks in advance,

Maggie

P.S. Keep in mind that I live in Hickville, Western Kentucky, so I have no access to a salvage yard with Volvo's, and just about any parts I need, I have to order.