How do you tell if tie rod ends are bad?

[4x4Ranger]

I'm in the process of changing ball joints, and am now reassembling everything. I put the tie rods back onto the steering knuckle, and tightened the nuts down to the required torque specs. I went to put a new cotter pin in, and the cotter pin hole is even with the top of the nut! When I took things apart, the cotter pin hole was matched up with the grooves in the nut. Think my tie rod ends are bad?? Or is it ok like this?

BTW anyone know how much tie rod ends are off hand?

Thanks