The car has some play in the steering and the car will drift left or right (seems as if the right wheel can turn slightly relative to the left wheel (so more toe in or more toe out). I carefully inspected the tie rod ends, the tie rod joints where the tie rod attaches to the center tie rod, the joints where the tie rod attaches to the idler arm and steering arm, and I couldn't feel any play (with a helper turning the steering wheel back and forth, there is a click sound however and I can see the slight play, but cannot pin point it to any one spot by sight). However, when I grab the idler arm and push-pull hard, there is some movement up and down but I do not feel any side to side (I suspect it could be the idler arm bushing or the inner tie rod joint near the idler arm, but I'm not completely sure). Looking at the parts availale in the 'buy parts', I noticed the tie rod bushings, and so wonder if perhaps the ones on my car are worn, yet I don't know where they would be.

I think it may be best to simply buy the tie rod assembly complete and idler arm bushing kit to cover all the bases.