Chris!

You need a better diagnosis.

You do need to replace the steering rod on the right side. There is

a tool that clamps on and pushes the pin out of the tapered hole.

Most part or tool stores sell them. They are a great investment.

In my experience the squeaking you mention is related to a bad lower

ball joint (the one on the outboard end of your lower A-frame).

The end result after a lot of squeaking is that it lets go and your

A-frame hits the pavement and your wheel is flopping loose.

E-mail me offline about a tool to help with this job.

The diagnosis of the front end (not counting wheel bearings, already

covered in another post) is to get under the car and have someone

turn the steering wheel back and forth about 90° rapidly while you

examine the various joints and idler arm bushing. You will be able

to feel or see the slack where there is enough to give you trouble.

Candidates are both ends of both steering rods, both ends of the

center rod, and idler arm bushing. Because of the weight on it the

lower ball joints probably will not respond to this test. The manual

gives a measurement for them, and if it doesn't match, they are badly

worn. Upper ball joints have much less loading and if the boot is in

good shape and they aren't noisy, and you can't move the top of

the wheel in and out, they are probably OK. A-frame bushings can

be visually examined and if you haven't replaced them, you probably

should at least look them over closely.