Might seem like a silly question but I can grab my end links and move them side to side. Was wondering if this was normal or if they're shot.

 

You can twist the rod connecting the 2 ends, but it's tough to feel any free play because there is a load on the ends. If you have it off the car, you should be able to move the ends, but they shouldn't flop around freely or have any looseness to them. In other words, they should rotate, but not rattle freely.

 

Yeah if the cars on ramps I can move them side to side. I'm getting obnoxious clunking and creaking and I've tried almost everything and can't pinpoint it. I'm losing my mind.

 

They do get noisy when worn out. Disconnect the bottom end and see how sloppy they are. Could be a lot of other things, too, like ball joints, control arm bushings, etc. End links are the cheapest and easiest thing to replace, though. You can drive the car with them disconnected, and see if the noise is still there.

 

I just replaced my lca's and the clunking went away, then came back. Baffels me

 

I just replaced my lca's and the clunking went away, then came back. Baffels me

 

Being able to wiggle them on a level surface with full weight on them is a good thing. That means there is little to no preload on the bar.

They are cheap and a common clunk when they go out. Also look at lca and compression arm bushings