Excess rear shaft movement on x11 08

[MILKY]

Just bought a used pred and noted an excess amount of up and down play the the centre shaft at the spur end. If you pull the spur up it actually touches the brace that goes from the mount to the front tower.
Spoke to Lewis who said there is play there,so I bought a new gear box case and have the same issue. I raced it Friday and stripped a spur gear but replaced it a after three hard races it is still ok so might point is how can this play be taken out or is it the norm.