I have done a number of different trannys (Benz, VW, ford, chevy, 
BMW) and there has been lots of end play in the trans shaft in european 
cars, this especially pronounced in automatics from what I remember.  I 
think it compensates for slight variations in the coupling between 
tranny and engine.

You wrote: 
>
>At 01:26 PM 10/7/95 CDT, Eric Baden wrote:
>>I'm finally about to install  a carefully rebuilt 2.0 liter in an 81 
>>vanagon - checking that main shaft tranny seal I see that the shaft 
>>itself has a bit of free play to it - i.e. a wiggle side to side, not 

>>solidly solid - does anyone know if this is normal? I'd barely driven 

>>this van before tearing it down, it seemed to shift and drive well - 
but 
>>I'd really like to know previous to installing the motor. Any info on 

>>this would be appreciated.
>
>Eric, I have a '71 Westy that I have had the trns and/or engine out 
more
>than several times and i too have a considerable amount of play in the 
main
>shaft of the trans.  while i could'nt tell you if it is normal or not, 
I
>have I guess you could say intentionally ovwerlooked it and have 
indeed put
>many thousands of miles, both far type miles and local type miles and 
have
>had no problems with the bus.  
>
>