8 3/4 axle end play question ??

1969383S, the car had Dutchmen axles in it when I acquired it. I dont have any history on the car. It has tapered roller bearings on both axles, with factory adjustment plate on the passenger side.

I had Gear Motive 3:73 gears with a Jegs, clutch type posi installed in a 742 case. The posi unit has the thrust buttons in it. You can see them looking down the axle tubes on both sides. Oh and I measured the Dutchmen axles, and they are both 28" from axle flange surface to end of splines.

The 3:23 non-posi section I pulled out, had no thrust buttons. That is what's confusing me, in that I have what I believe to be the correct parts going forward, but am experiencing excessive end play (1/8") on the drivers side axle.

At this point, I am going to replace both tapered bearings with new bearing cups and try this again. I would expect excessive end play with the non posi gear with no thrust buttons, but why do I have excessive play with thrust buttons? I do have another 3:23 posi with buttons to try,.. with these Dutchmen axles,.. if I have to test fit with another center section. The kicker is I just filled the case with gear lube and friction modifier which I will have to drain out if I pull the 3:73's out. Fudge...:( "Just when you think you have it right...those darn Gremlins come out and mess thing up"..lol