Need help figuring out if either my Upper ball joint, inner tie rod, or rack/pinion needs replaced

2015 DCSB 65k miles with a 2” spacer lift in the front and AAL in the rear. I’m running 285/75r16 tires. Both front wheels seems to have a little bit of play in steering after lock. My problem is, I can’t tell if the movement is in the rack itself, the inner tie rods, or the upper ball joints. Any help/input is greatly appreciated. I dont want to swap out parts that dont need to be swapped out.

 

The proper way to check all types of steering linkage takes 2 people. Leave the truck on the ground. Have your helper wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Put your hand on each joint and feel for play. For the inner tie rod ends, squeeze the bellows and feel the joint inside. If there is looseness, you will feel it between the ball and socket. This also works for steering shaft U joints and rag joints. Finally, feel between the rack housing and the frame to check the rack bushings. You will need to tell your helper, "a little more, a little more, a little less, etc."

 

Jack the truck up, support with jack stand, have a friend shake the wheel side to side while you feel what’s loose