Input shaft "play"

I just talked to Brewers today about this very problem. He said that there can be enough play to touch the side on the retainer and it is still alright because the bearing or bushing in the crank of the motor keeps it centered not the bearing. The teeter/totter comment was exactly what he said also. I bought a rebuilt tranny and I turned down the retainer to fit my bellhousing and noticed it had a Koyo bearing in it and I wondered if it was the cause of it but he said they all have some radial play to them. They use a different Chinese bearing and they have put in over 3000 and never had 1 fail. I was bummed at it also but feel better after talking to the expert.