Front Wheel Bearings
When checking the play in the front wheel bearings, always wiggle the tire whilst grabbing the top and bottom first and then tighten as needed. If you wiggle the tire whilst grabbing the sides first, any play you find will include the play in the tie rod ends as well (if there be any), and you may end up over tightening the wheel bearings trying to get out tie rod end play.
Conversely, if you want to check just your tie rod end play, over tighten the wheels bearings (not enough to damage them) to take out any wheel bearing play, and then wiggle the tire side to side. This isolates the tie rod end play. Just make sure you reset your wheel bearing play after you've checked your tie rods.
Ideally, you should check your tie rods at the same time you check your wheel bearings anyway, since you've got the front end up in the air.
My 2 cents,
Spike