Does anyone know what kind of symptons you get if your tie rods are bad? Would you get a slight left to right shaking in the steering when driving slow? Just asking, I'm praying that its not my rack n pinion steering.

 

Mostly you get a little play in the wheel back and forth and severe tire wear. Lift the front of the car off the vehicle and grab both front tires at 9 and 2 and shake them back and forth. There shouldn't be any slack (play) also watch the tie rod end while doing this to see if its moving sloppy.
The more likely cause is something is broken on the front end, weather it being a control arm or ball joint.

 

Thanks, I'll try that method.