Inner tie rod play?

[Sie!]

Hi all,

As I'm slowly learning to do my own work on my own car, I've got a quick question about my steering tie rods. I was in the process of replacing the ends, but having removed them from the vehicle I'm thinking they're in need of total replacement as I think theres too muc play on the innners.

Have a quick look at the below video, it shows what I believe to be extensive play between the assembly's and the mounts;

https://youtu.be/XIQ5URMpkHk

Having spoken to a mate who does a bit of mechanising himself he says this is normal and to be expected, apparently it's to compensate for the weight on the wheels.... It's got me wondering, my steering has always been noisey; is he correct and this is normal, or is there excessive play?

As always any help and assistance is greatly appreciated!


Simon