I need some information about tie rod end construction

jos51700 said
What's the "both" you're talking about? A tie rod only has one ball/socket.

A new one should be tight and hard to swivel, but swivel-able.
A used one should be tight and free to swivel.
A junk one will have slop in it.
View attachment 1716240596

I think you're seeing the bushing inside the housing, between the ball and the housing end. When they're made, the housing is 'crimped' around the ball and bushing. It's not common for the bushing to move too, but not impossible.

If you hold the housing, the stud should not be able to be pulled up or down.

The left pic shows the stud, integral to a small ball at its base, swiveled outboard, and the right picture is swiveled inboard. Net travel at the top of the stud about 1/2". Now, understand all that is encased in the much larger ball that you can clearly see, and that of course, swivels to a greater degree. That's two ball and sockets!

Bear in mind there's no slop, and no "up or down" movement. Should I call it good? I take it no one has noticed this before?