Daiwa Tanacom 750 Handle too much play

[PNWReels]

So, I'm repairing a T750. The handle is very sloppy: too much forward/backward play. I've repaired over 100 and I've never had one with this much play. I've rebuilt: adding new fiber washers, cleaned and lubed all parts. Just the sloppy handle has me miffed.
Any ideas?

[ReelClean]

IIRC the AR dog is held against the cog under spring tension of a light wire spring.  It is a pain sometimes to get the spring's post to hold in it's recess in the body as you assemble it.  Possibly got loose as you put the body cover back on?