I'm not exactly sure what to make of this. Car is a 98 Civic EX with a B18B1 swap. No power steering.

When the car is parked, I can move the steering wheel a couple inches in each direction and it makes a popping noise? It has a little bit of play when the front tires aren't moving. It turns fine and everything as far as I can tell when I'm driving. Steering wheel occasionally shakes at higher speeds, but nothing crazy. I'm thinking the rack and pinion could be loose or going out. Anyone have any input?

 

sounds like bad tie rod ends to me

 

I replaced the outer tie rods when I got the car, have less then 5k on them. How can I go about checking the inner ones?

 

jack the front of the car up and shake the tire left to right and up and down. if you have play form side to side it will be the inner tie rods. if you have play up and down it will be the upper or lower ball joint.