I need to known how much movement should be allowed with the tierod ends and the steering stabilizer?

I was under my jeep the other day looking for a squeaking noise and grab the steering stabilier to slid around and notice there is about 1- 1.5 inches of movement in the tierod ends.

I found the squeaking but now this.

 

Not quite sure what way the motion is but any range of motion like that is extreme, and would seem to be to be tantamount to immediate failure.

 

I keep hearing a rattle when going over bumps and the tie rod and drag link both rotate up and down by hand when i grab them. Is this normal or do i have a problem? It's been in the shop recently (30,000 mile service) and they cleared everything but I am still wondering.

 

They are designed to rotate, they are ball shaped under the grommet. If they move up and down in the socket instead of rotating that is an issue. Think of it like a hip or shoulder joint. In and out is not good, rotation is.

 

absolutely correct