97 civic dx
Trying to chase down a front end rattle over bumpy roads. Jacked up front end and have no movement at 12-6 but a shitload at 3-9. Question is can TREs that have enough movement that I don't feel safe driving rattle like a loose jamb nut on an adjustable control arm? I've ordered inners and outers because may as well but need to know if I should look elsewhere. Everything else has grease, boots are Good and have No movement when shaken.

 

I've replaced many upper control arms with bad ball joints. Also I would check the Lower one too.

 

Ball joints are still good. Boots are full of grease and No movement.

 

Deff sounds like a suspension rattle?

I would inspect

Sway bar end links / sway bar bushings
Tie rod ends as you stated, I would also look at the struts. They've been known to make the rattle clunking noise when going over small bumps on the road. Good luck man

 

I don't see anything resembling a sway bar. Is that normal for a DX?

 

I'm not sure about the DX, but I know my LX has a front sway bar, and no rear sway bar stock. Thought it was the CX hatch that didn't have a sway bar.

 

The DX doesn't have sway bars.

If you have a "shitload" of 3/9 movement, you have a problem with your tie rods. Isolate the problem, fix the problem, and make sure you get an alignment afterwards. Yes, a failing/failed steering component should be considered risky. The only other part of that specific system is your steering rack. Do you have excessive play in your steering wheel?