Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Can someone tell me what conditions an MQ CV joint should feel like.
IE. I have a second hand one. Splines are good. But CV seems to have slack and is quite rough & tight compared ot the one i have just pulled out. It seems like the middle + thingy is warn.
Can someone help out. The last thing i want to do is replace the one i have with a dud, and have to go through the whole thing again...

PS what is the x thingy in the middle called?

Its called the star.

Put the inner axle in a vice and twist the cv end of the axle. dont let the cv twist (steer) when you do this as it can give a false impression of slop.

If there is significant slop (more than fuck all) the cv is worn and im told dont even bother going any further as its not worth the effort of pulling it apart to check for damage to the bell star and balls. If there is slop the CV can grenade under shock loading im told.

If there isnt much slop you can pull the cv apart and check out the bell etc for damage (will require a replacement circlip which will break on taking the inner axle out).

tight is good. if holding it by the inner axles, the cv shouldn't flop down on its own weight. just run it. cv swaps are pretty easy once you get the hang of it, and go in via the ball, not the hub.