I had a rebuilt steering unit (rack and pinion?) put in my 1979 245 DL wagon because the old one was leaking fluid. I now have a lot of play in the wheels that I traced back to some play at the inner end of the tie rod. From looking at that end, I am not sure what is what. In other words, I do not know if a part needs replacement or tightening. It raises some questions in my mind:

1) if you screw (tighten) the tie rod end onto the steering gear, will it take the play out or is the ball joint in that end just worn out?

2) if I were to replace the inner end ball joint, how do I hold the steering gear to oppose the turning of the end as I take the joint off and put the new one on?

3) do I have to screw the outer end off of the tie rod to get the inner one off?