"Save my bacon" on p/s pump rebuild?

I aint awake and coffeed up yet but I know there's a plate and a spring pushing everything forward. The veins aren't pinched but there shouldn't be a lot of space for fluid to pass their square ends either. I would say .02 shaft travel is normal but I don't know exactly what is acceptable. An eighth inch sure doesn't sound right. If there was that much travel, the groove worn by the shaft seal would be wide too. Maybe a long pin got in a shallow hole, or isn't in a hole? Honestly... A whole pot of coffee wouldn't help me help you ( Not enough recent experience ). I would need to go take a pump a apart and try to recreate a similar condition.