Not sure about the old 1.0 models. They have bearings in the frame instead of the link?
Anyway, on newer ones you adjust for play by adding more grease and increasing torque on the axle. Where the link has bearings and there’s an axle and cone washer with bolt, the axle is just done up snug but have to experiment to reduce play.
Worn axle you should see visible signs of on the axle and probably can feel it’s worn. Had one wrecked due to collapsed bearing, but it was cutting a groove into the axle and would have snapped eventually. Couldn’t get the axle on its own unfortunately, only the whole kit.
Though maybe ask Jungle. Their support is good and they sometimes can help out with odd bits lying around. I’ve had some stuff free off them, though cheap parts anyway.