2006 Dodge Magnum. RWD. 2.7l V6. 90,000 miles.

My wife reported that when she was on the freeway today, when she hit about 60mph, the car (and steering wheel) started shaking pretty badly. She thought it was a big gust of wind at first. She slowed and exited the freeway at the first available exit, pulled over at a shopping center and got out and looked for flats or other obvious deficiencies. She didn't see anything so she called me. She was only about a mile from home, so I told her to go ahead and drive home, cautiously. She did so, and told me that it was pulling to the right pretty noticeably if she let go of the wheel.

I came home and checked it out. Jacked up the front end, checked for play up and down (grabbed at 12 and 6 and tried to 'rock') on the wheels. None. Checked for side to side (grabbed at 3 and 9 and tried to 'rock') and there is a little movement (like 1/8th of an inch) on both front tires. This movement is limited to the inner tie rod ends. No movement in the outer ends. Is this normal?

On further inspection, I noticed the driver's side tire appears to have a bubble. It's not a lot, but about the outer half of the tread on about 1/4 of the circumference of the tire is a little bit raised. The tread depth is equal across the tire, so I don't feel this is uneven wear. More of a sudden failure of some type.

Thoughts? If the very slight, equal, play in the inner tie rod ends is normal - this is probably a tire issue of some sort, right?

**UPDATE**

Went to the tire shop this morning (Discount Tire). The front left tire did indeed have a defect (they agreed it was most likely a broken belt). The tires were Hankook Optimo H727's. They had 37,000 miles on them. Tires were warrantied for 70,000 miles, so I got a credit for that one tire. Since the other tires were in good condition, they could not give me a credit on them. However, I didn't feel right having my family drive around on 3 tires which were worn, knowing one of them already had a defect. So, I put on a set of Pirelli P4's.

Immediate, complete difference. No more shake or shimmy. I could let of the wheel at 80mph on the freeway and it stayed rock solid. I'll still be replacing the steering rack.

put the spare where you found the bubble. problem solved? there you go

You have a separated tire. You will need to replace it ASAP. Driving on it could lead to a blowout. It sounds like you might need new tires based on the info you gave. Bring it to the nearest/favorite auto repair facility and have the vehicle checked out. You should not have any movement in those tie rods either. Be prepared to have those replaced as well. Worn steering & suspension components will eat up the new tires you buy, leading to money wasted. Be sure to have an alignment done too.

I just checked Rock Auto. I can get a Cardone reman complete rack (including inner ends) for about $150.

Any good?

Sounds like the tire is separating. Address that first, and then the rack, second.

You can bring the car by my shop, and we'll look at the rack, the whole car actually, and see if there is a problem. I work over in Tempe, if you're on that side of town.

As stated before, you should not have any movement in the steering components in a rack-n-pinion steering system. Older conventional steering systems (gear box w/idler arm) was allowed some deflection, but not much.
You can replace the inner tie rods without replacing the steering gear, but some special tools may be necessary if doing with the steering gear in the car. Generally, I would not recommend this project for a do-it-yourselfer because an alignment is necessary immediately following parts replacement. Even driving your car a block down the road with the toe out of whack would eat up your tires. Lastly, I would definitely take care of the tire issue before replacing front end parts.

updated.