Steering rack squeek, need to fix before it rains

[iselltonsofthings]

I just got done putting on new front control arms, sway bar endlinks, and outer tie rod ends.

With everything now on the car and the car still supported by the frame rails "two main rails of the unibody", I wiggle the front tires north/south and east/west.

North and south is very tight due to the new control arms,

But the east and west, there is a very noticable squeek.

I used a mechanix stethoscope and it seems like the inner tie rods or even the whole rack itself is the culprit for the squeeking.

I've never replaced inner tie rod ends before nor do I know what they act like when at the end of their service life.

Does the above symptoms sound like it is the inner tie rod ends? How hard is it to replace the inner tie rod ends. I consider myself above average do-it-yourself mechanic, how long do you think it will take to replace both sides?

Is it as simple as removing the bellows, loosening a jam nut, unscrewing the inner tie rod end, and reassemble?

Please reply asap because it is going to rain soon and I'd really like to know what everyone thinks. If possible I want to get this fixed tonight.

Thank you kindly. Sincerely, Scott