I use 150 lbs of barbell weights and a 500 lb cap. small (size of your fist) chain hoist and pull down the tail (or you could just have a rope tied to the weights with a hook on the other end to hook the tie down ring but you will need help with this) to check the air pressure in the nose wheel about every three months.
During that time, I check the wheel bearings by spinning the wheel and shake it to check for play. I also grab the entire nose assy, and shake it right to left to see if there is any play in the one bolt that holds the entire strut on.
The last thing that I do, is lift the wheel to check for play in the lower bushing of the motor mount that the strut fits in. You can also pound the lower bend of the strut with your fist, the gear will clatter if there is play.
I did find play in the lower bushing. It was .005" But at the wheel, it moved about 1/8" up and down. As a temporary fix, I placed a .005" shim under the strut in the lower part of the bushing. Tied it off with safety wire to keep in one place till I can get a new bushing and figure out how to change it without removing the motor mount from the A/C. This should be a good temp. fix due to the fact that the load is on the top of the bushing.
If you don't remove the play, it will just beat it's self up.