If the inner strut casting is worn down too much and the outer sleeve is flush as far as it can go and there is still too much gap,(should be flush or about.001-.0015) then a new strut will probably be needed! I've had this happen on a few machines to where the armature plate wouldn't hold. Usually happened with me when machine ran dry on hub fluid and parts would grind together or if hub was too tight. The inner strut casting can take the brunt of the damage,I've seen em ground flat, this is the delicate part of the strut. This was a wake up call to the owners to check their hub fluid. OPT