1G Bad Inner Tie Rod or Steering Rack?

[91Bomb]

I hear/feel clicking in steering wheel when turning between 11 + 1 o'clock positions so I checked inner tie rod by pulling on it (after disconnecting from steering knuckle) and detect no play. So I got under car and had someone move steering wheel back and forth and hear the clicking right where tie rod meets rack and boot is torn. If inner tie rod was bad would I be able to detect that instantly by pulling on it? Or is the rack known to have problems in that same area that hasn't nothing to do with inner tie rod?

 

[PlanZero]

Did you check both both sides? Are you sure its not the outer tie rod? Jack up each side and grab the wheel at 3 and 9 and try to wiggle. Assuming there's no play:
I had a similar problem. I replaced all my control arms and tie rods and I still had an audible click when I jerked the steering wheel and it seemed to come from the new inner tie rod ball joint. I was ready to replace the rack even though there were no other problems. Instead I turned the wheel all the way to the right with the inner tie rod boot off to expose the rack teeth and slathered them in axle grease. Replaced boot and haven't heard the sound in months. This was on a 2g but the idea is the same.

 

[91Bomb]

Outer tie rods are definitely good. This was the 2nd time I disconnected tie rod from steering knuckle and tried pulling/wiggling inner tie rod to inspect for play and it seems solid. Probably just going to replace it though becasue the boot is torn and when putting my ear near joint I'm hearing clicking noise.