Chevrolet Repair: Tie rod question..., tie rod ends, front end alignment

Question
Mr. Sheets,
Hate to throw another question at you so soon, but I'm curious.
I have a 2001 Buick LeSabre.  I had it at a dealership today (installing and coding a new radio)...and they (of course) do the usual "general inspection" and told me that my front wheels have a little play in them, and that I needed new tie rods.  
I was under the impression that tie rods are something that can be tightened up a little.  Is that correct?  I know that tie rods have to do with steering, and if they were tightened up, would that help eliminate that play in the wheels?  (Or does the "tightening up" of tie rods only have to do with the alignment?)
It's an old car with over 100,000 miles, and I don't want to put too much money into it.  But I do want it to drive safely.
Any suggestions, advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Warm regars,
David Gardner

Answer
HI DAVID, TIE RODS CAN NOT BE TIGHTENED UP [AS YOU SAY]. ONCE THE JOINT IS LOOSE IT IS [BAD] THEY CAN BE ADJUSTED AT THE SLEEVE SIDE  WHEN A FRONT END ALIGNMENT IS DONE.. THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE FOR SURE. IF ONE TIE ROD BREAKS YOU MAY WANT TO GO LEFT AND THE CAR WILL GO TO THE RIGHT... PLEASE,,,, DO NOT FOOL AROUND WITH THIS..HOWEVER IF YOU WANT TO CK THESE OUT FOR YOURSELF,JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BAD. JACK THE FRONT OF THE CAR UP SO THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE GROUND HOLD THE TIRE AT THE 9:OO AND 3:00 POSITION AND MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH NOT HARD JUST BACK AND FORTH,THERE SHOULD BE NO MOVEMENT HERE AT ALL. IF THERE IS YOU MAY HEAR A CLUNK,CLUCNK, IF SO THEY ARE BAD.. IF YOU MOVE THE WHEEL TO HARD YOU WILL MOVE THE COMPLETE STERRING GEAR, DO NOT CK THIS WAY. REPEAT WITH THE OTHER WHEEL AS WELL. ONE MORE THING, THERE IS A INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD. THE OUTER BY THE WHEEL END IS THE MOST LIKELY TO WEAR OUT. YOU CAN CK THE INNER THE SAME WAY AS I SAID ABOVE. IF THEY ARE BAD AND YOU REPLACE THEM GET SOME PRICES, THEY WILL VARY--- PARTS LABOR TO INSTALL AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IF YOU GET AFTER MARKET TIE ROD ENDS, GET [MOOG] THEY WILL COME WITH A GREASE FTTING AND THEN YOU CAN GREASE THESE WHEN YOU GET THE CAR SERVICED.THEY WILL NEVER WEAR OUT. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IS THERE IS NO GREASE FITTING IN THEM FROM THE FACTORY OR IF THERE IS NO ONE GREASES THEM.. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU,IF YOU NEED MORE INFO DROP ME A LINE. PLEASE AS BEFORE, RATE THIS ANSWER. THNAK YOU VERY MUCH,,, TOM..