My mechanic is telling me my steering rack is going bad at 22k and he can't do a full alignment without it. Is that true? I took it in for tires since they were wearing unevenly, especially the rears.

The inner halves were bald! I've only had it month and knew I was going to replace them, just didn't think the full steering rack, (which is on backorder) would need it too. I was expecting a tie rod at most. Anyway, are the stock steering racks that week? Is it true a full allignment can't be done without it?