I replaced the center drag link yesterday. The joints on both ends were floppy-loose... so loose I had to hold the center link still with one hand in order to get the steering shock bolt out.
With a new link and shock in place, the noise is gone. It was a surprisingly easy repair, made easier with the Ball joint separator from HF (
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html).
I'll freely admit to being very anxious cranking down on that separator. I kept myself as far out of the way as possible, got it uncomfortably tight, then slid myself out from under the car to wait. As I was sliding out, BAM! I'm pretty sure I peed myself a bit when my head hit the underside of the radiator... my "fight or flight" response thought the car was coming down on me (but hey, it was on ramps). I did the same on the other end (without urination, mind you). Handy tool though... wish it had ACME threads but hey for $19 I can't complain.
Tie rods were tight. I couldn't get them to move any by hand. Bolts looked clean/new so I'm guessing the PO had them replaced at some point.