Thx to such a great forum!!
I'm a new 4runner owner - 96 SR5 237Km.
I love this truck, interior wise everything works perfectly. Somthing I'm not used to with most domestics. Rear window, power antenna, etc. all is good.

My problem; getting saftey inspection, Toyota dealership said inner tie rod has too much play. So I have that replaced by a trusted mechanic and still they find play. I have read about possible tie rod bearing or bushing that leads to a failed inner tie rod diagnosis?
If it's not the inner tie rod then the steering rack/bushings will be my next avenue, but I'm hoping I dont have to go that route.

Any help on inner tie rod assembly would be great!

This may be your problem

How to: Replace steering rack guide- Pictures

I ordered the parts and am still waiting for them to get here. Does your front end feel really jittery?

Yes I saw that and when I checked my rack I could see I have the old steering rack guide. I have the old outer hex cap which means the old bearing type is in there. I will replace that with newer OEM upgrade and hope it solves the inner tie rod play. I don't really notice any clunking at all and it is a bit jittery on bumpy highway and going slow over washboards. The new d/s inner tie rod did get some of the play out but still about an 1". I need a front alignment now and the Michelin LTX tread is just passing safety so hard to say once those are factored. I'll report back once I do the new rack guide, alignment, newer balanced tires.
I'm in GM heartland here in Oshawa Ontario
When I went to make an appointment with a local expert alignment shop, he threw out some worse case scenarios they might encounter. Fingers are crossed when it goes in tuesday!

just to update thread,
Had the alignment and new tires done and the improvement is enough for me to delay the bushing replacement. Prob will opt for a new steering rack down the road instead.