Question about tie rod play and how to properly check?

Guys, I gotta ask just to be crystal clear on the proper way to check for tie rod play on our trucks.

I see videos where the people check for tie rod play with both wheels lifted and videos of some who just check with one wheel lifted via the lower control arm.

So here’s my issue. If I can move the wheel back and forth 1/2 inch or so until the wheel locks with just that wheel jacked under the LCA, there’s no movement but is that really the way to check or is any movement suspect?

When I had my tie rods off this weekend, both could hang in the air (outer tie rod disconnected) and I couldn’t push or pull the tie rod in by hand either.

Not sure what to think. Normally, I would expect a bad tie rod to have wheel play regardless of whether the wheel is locked or not. Thoughts?

 

Okay, maybe I misunderstood the meaning of “play” and that smooth movement back and forth is fine but clicking or clunking is not as seen in the video.

https://youtu.be/n3P26ggg5OU?feature=shared