I switched out my shocks to bilstein sports today and I noticed that my tie rod's rubber has disintegrated and I can see the joint. Is it necessary to replace it?

I will be lowering my car soon, so are there any other suspension elements I should check out? (Tie rods, ball joint, drag link...anything else?)

How many tie rods are on the front? 1 each side? Then 1 drag link?

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k