Why would my 1998 528i feel like it floats down the hwy.

What is your question?

Had 3 mechanics look at problem. First 2 said immediately it was rack & pinion. 3rd said rack was fine but I needed to replace inner & outer tie rods. Car still feels like it hydro planes and theres still some play in the wheel. While driving theres also some play in the wheel maybe 1" I got the car off the ground and moved the steering wheel back & forth and heard a a clunk clunk sound, we tracked this into the rack. Any thoughts will be appreciated! Thanks for the input!! John