Last week i went to get new tires on my truck and alignment. Basically it couldn't get aligned due to inner tie rod. So i goto change them this week and see how much "loose" the inner tie rod ball joints are compared to the newer ones (I got a Toyota 4x, PITA to work on, and the inner tie rods are the same design as our outers.
So then i start wondering about my crx tie rods. Next i go inspect them since hte knuckles are off the car (jimfab B/O ) and the tie rods move side to side with ease. SO i now wonder; How does one tell if there tie rods are shot if they are already off the knuckle?

Any insight into this issue is appreciated

 

There should be no "play" to a ball joint and it should feel "snug". The problem is that without removing the rubber boot (seal), it's kind of hard to say.

Wes

 

so if i go to push on it, it shouldn't move?

 

It should move a bit, but it should be very hard to move.