Ok I need some help here fellow volvo experts

I took my 86 240 wagon in for an alignment and they claimed they could not do it since I had a bad left inner tie rod. they said the right was ok and the outers were ok. do I did not have them change it but just paid 32.50 for a front end check instead. They did not measure anything cause they claimed they could not.

So I just put on new inners and out tie rods and I am very sad at this point since the old inners do not seem bad or bad enough to not be able to get the alignment in the ballpark. so talking to the shop I went too has not gone well the owner has hung up on me 3 times and I give up at this point in working this out

I want too know how much play is too much play for a shop to refuse the alignment or how much play is would be allowable in the innertie rod. this would be end play the joint rotates smooth.

left inner had know play
right inner had the best I could measure with a dial indicator was about between a 1/64 and 1/32 or an inch not more then 1/32 for sure.

I am planning to take the old joint to another shop to get their opinion but I thought I would ask here first

maybe I am the stupid one but I can handle that

thanks for anyone or all help

patrick