2001 Accord with 125K miles has center play in the steering (dead zone between steer right, steer left). I suspect tie rod ends but do I replace inner/outer or both. Note that I don’t notice any uneven tire wear.
you gotta crawl under this thing while someone turns the steering wheel and find out exactly where play is coming from.
I’m sure your problem is going to be in your rackandpinion system. Bad tie rod ends cause all kinds of other problem also, not just looseness.