Also, it depends what u are comparing it to....

I remember when I first started, I use to worry about the free play espically in the steering.... I got told that it was very normal for RTR mass produced rc cars..... 10pluss years later I agree,..

99% of rc cars are either tight or sloppy out of the box, the majority of the time it makes no noticeable difference in preformance. So even tho it might seem like the free play is excessive.... Most of the time that is normal and will not effect anything.

personally I like to eliminate free play, but it's not essential. I don't worry to much about ball ends, I mainly focus on shiming the stub axle, gears and suspension joints.