Replacing inner tie rods

[66conv6]

Went to get a wheel alignment the other day and was told by the ASE certified 20 something year mechanic (factory BMW and other makes mechanic) I needed to first replace a right control arm bushing and right inner tie rod as there is a 1/4 inch play on the toe adjustment.

Prior to this I had a bad oil leak from the oil pump area to which I paid $500 to fix. The oil had been dripping all over one bushing and I was going to clean it up with dish detergent or something.

I'm bummed because about 4-5 years ago I, myself, replaced all the control arm bushings with Toyota parts. The bushing in question looks okay to me other than being oil soaked.

This same alignment issue had come up at that time and I (did it myself) simply replaced the whole rack-and-pinion as a complete unit for $135 exchange. The alignment went well back then. Now I'm told the inner tie rod has play in it again?

I've driven the car about 50,000 miles since then; 95% of it freeway miles between Los Angeles and Kingman, AZ on "superhighways". I was doing nearly a 1,000 miles a week for almost a year.

I thought the inner tie rod would last much longer. I've thought of first checking that the rack-n-pinion attach points haven't come loose. I'm kind of in disbelief that these parts could wear out so soon.

I do have access to the factory manuals and others. I've got everyday tools and sockets but nothing specialized. I do many of my own car repairs.

Do I need a special tool to replace the inner tie rod and can I do it with the car on jackstands?

Thanks

Car is an 88 Camry LE 3SFE 2.0L Autotrans

[Doctor J]

If rack is rebuild it comes with new inner tierod joints and it is unlikely they got worn in short time. The play in steering can be due to the wear in the steering shaft to rack and pinion join coupling.
If rubber oil-soaked bushing is soft it may need to be repalced.

[66conv6]

Thank you for the response Doctor J.

There's not an issue with the steering wheel play. We were looking only at the right tire (wheel). The fore and aft play at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position I saw was about 1/4 inch on the toe. Like you say, I am mystified that the mechanic says its the inner tie rod. The outer tie rod is original as is the balljoint.

Do I need a special tool to replace this "inner" tie-rod?

I'm used to old VW's with their inner and outer tie-rods looking and being replaced in the same manner.

Thanks

[Doctor J]

In order to find the reason for that pay, disconnect the steering rack tie rod end from the steering knuckle, then grab it near the boot and check endplay there. with boot removed it is possible to remove the inner tie rod with joint, using 2 open end wrenches but like I said it is very unlikely that this part failed on the remanufactured assembly. On my car it has very noticeable play but it is niot even close to 1/4 inch on the wheel @ 3 oc'lock position.