My steering has been making some "clunking"
sounds for some time, especially when going over
rougher roads and humps, and one can "feel"
the clunk a little at the steering wheel too.

I was told about a year or two ago that the inner tie
rods, which the mechanics here call "drumsticks"
or "steering ballhead" in their jargon, were
somewhat loose, but it was minor and need not be
be replaced.

Well, it has been getting louder these few days,
and I wonder if there is a risk of the tie rod
snapping and the wheel flying off ?

The ball joints had been inspected too at the same
time as the tie rods a year ago, and they looked
alright then, though had never been replaced since
I bought the car 11 years ago.

Thanks.