Length of front driveshaft bearing?

[Tom Endy]

the rear axle assembly I am working on right now has an original torque tube roller bearing with the spirals and it measures 1 & 3\4". There is usually a gap between the speedo drive gear and the snap ring, 1\4" seems like a lot. I didn't think the speedo drive gear could move once the driven gear housing was bolted down.

it is possible the seal is missing and is allowing the bearing to drop down further than it should.

Tom Endy