30k and 3.5 yrs after totally rebuilding my front end (tie rods, balljoints, A-arm bushings, rack mounts, etc...) I took it in for alignment, and they said the outer tie rod was shot. They wanted $270 to replace both inner & outer. Said they'd throw in the alignment. 😅

I said I'd do it myself, seems a bit soon with no offroading and Moog parts. So tonight I did the shake test.

i think I have a normal amount of play in the steering, zero play in the tie rod ends. Y'all?

 

It looks clunky from off camera. If I had to guess I’d say you have play in the guides of the steering rack. Or possibly the inner tie rod.

You can check the tire rod ends better with a big pair of channel locks and squeeze the cup of the tie rod to the lip of the steering knuckle.

 

When I shook the wheel on this check, the steering wheel also turned a bit... I didn't have anyone holding it.
Is the steering wheel, once locked, not supposed to rotate at all?
Also, when checking these and the ball joints, is it best to lift by the A-Arm or the frame & let them droop? I tried it both ways with no difference in results.

Anyway, you mentioned the steering rack guides. I do have what I think is a leaky rack. I bet the guide is worn out completely.... I seem to remember tightening it up when I did the front end work, but not changing it out to the new style.
Reading the rebuild thread over at tacomaworld, that's beyond my capability at the moment. I could see following Timmy and replacing the whole thing, But before I go spend my covid stimulus on that, I have half a mind to pop the outer tie rod off and just feel the joint by hand, that would let me feel the inner joint too.

 

I don't see anything wrong in your videos, if you wiggle the wheel top/bottom and side/side and feel anything like slop you need to find whatever is loose.
it's not something the you can catch on a video most of the time. could be wheel bearing play, steering rack mounts, inner bushings, inner tie rod ends etc.
when the steering is locked and you move the wheels/tires you will see the steering wheel move slightly, no issues there.
If they shop says your outer tire rods are shot tell them "show me", cuz those look fine to me, I was a front end/alignment tech for over 10 years and I'd be ashamed to recommend replacing those.

 

For posterity's sake... there was nothing wrong besides the mechanic.