any thoughts appreciated

took my au xr8 in for service and pink slip friday at ford dealer...and they tell me failed coz "excessive free play due to wear-steering shaft coupling" $450 and "excessive free play of wheel greater than 6mm at the rim or 3mm at a component-left outer toe link" $250.

when he told me over the phone he mentioned "tie rods" need replacing or fixing and it wasnt covered under my extended 3yr warranty...i dont know a lot about cars so im not sure wheather i can trust them, i cant really afford it anyways...when i got home this arvo i looked in the parts covered section of my service book and covered are 'tie rod ends'

do tie rod ends and left outer toe links have anything in common?

im not really sure what im actually asking, just very dissapointed coz i only bought the car from them 6mnths ago and have had it in twice to be fixed under the 3mth initial warrenty...fair? im not sure...i have only driven it 4000 k's since i bought it, never ripping it around corners or anything...i really dont think i caused this...i think it may have already been like that when i bought it and they are just stinging me for it now...

what do you think?