Advice on rack and pinion guys :-)

Rack+pinion: repair or replace

For: 91 vr4

My family! Need advice on topic. Anyone knows a good course of action that leads up to deaming the rack needing replacing? (ie. replace tie rod ends, boots, etc)

My car drives smooth even on bad mix matched tires but before I buy suspension, rims and tires, etc... I need the actual car to be completely sound. There's play on the tires when lifted in the air (you can jiggle the tires back and forth, pushing in and out) and a new friend thinks its inner and outer rod ends and boots are torn.

So yea any advice? Lol