The air intake system runs between the radiator and the front of the engine cover with plenty of space to keep the incoming air charge cool. The 2.3 is built off the same family of architecture as the 2-iter so they go down the same line; they have the same machine centers.
The inner tie rod ends are attached to either end of the center link and provides pivot points for the steering gear. From there it goes to the outer tie rod ends through an adjustment sleeve. This sleeve joins the inner and outer tie rod ends together and allows for adjustment when the front wheels are aligned. The outer tie rod ends are connected to the steering knuckle that actually turns the front wheels.
It could be the tie rod end, which connects the tie rod to the steering knuckle through a ball joint, it could be the inner tie rod joint, which attaches the tie rod assembly to the piston end coming out of the rack, or it could be looseness in the rack itself.