axle end play issue

Had leaking axle seals, so I pulled the axles to replace the seals, whoops, dropped one of the thrust spacers into the bottom of the diff . . .
So I pulled the center section, reinstalled the two thrust spacer buttons with a roll pin and put it back together.
After all is done I am trying to set the end play with the adjuster on the passenger side but even with all play taken out of the passenger side the driver side axle still moves in/out like 1/8" !!
wtf
Could this be due to a worn out bearing? seal not properly seated? other?
Author: Blue 300