Why would an inner tie rod fail after 22500 miles? Help Please!

[kobusLifeRemotely]

Guys, gals, and fans I need advice.

22500 miles ago I replaced my inner tie rod on my 97 4Runner SR5 because a dealership said it was failing and worn. After I had it replaced there was still a little clunk and play when placing my hands on the tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions and moving the tire back and forth rapidly.

I had Firestone tell me that the bushings on the rack and pinion looked warn but not to worry about it. So I didn’t.

Two days ago I felt a clunk when breaking, then I felt it again while just driving on a freeway, today I felt it accelerating and breaking. Also when I moved the steering wheel back and forth there was the same clunk.

So I jacked the truck up, and tested the left front, the same side I had the tie rod replaced. There is a lot more play on the wheel than I remember.

So my question is twofold.

1. 1. What can cause the same tie rod to fail in 22500 miles?
2. 2.Should I have it replaced again or be looking for the culprit and then replacing everything?

Advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Could also be: Outer Tie Rod End or Ball Joint. Most likely, if only the inner was replaced, it would cause the older (somewhat worn) other parts to fail faster.

On my trucks I always do LBJ's, OTRE's and ITRE's ate the same time, then get it aligned and forget about it for the next 100K miles.

 

[Stick Figure]

Are you sure its the tie rod and not the rack itself? I ordered an inner tie rod for my truck on a quick inspection, and found out when I pulled the inner boot that the play was from the guide bushing bushing from the rack. Fairly common wear item and would look like a drivers side inner tie rod.