Excessive steering wheel play- Steering Actuator

[pchoate1]

2010 A25 with 8.1L Gi - New OEM Volvo Actuator installed last year due to a seal leak. Excessive steering wheel play before and after actuator replacement. Does anyone have this problem or have seen this issue before?
Play is 90deg wheel movement left and right from center before actuator is engaged. When looking at the actuator where the steering cable attaches there is a tube that the inner steering cable passes through and then exits on the other side of the tube and continues to its connection point on the actuator. This tube is supported by a sleeve about 3” long which is part of the actuator. When rotating the steering wheel the tube slides back and forth within the sleeve about 7mm each way before shoulders on the tube hit the support sleeve and then the steering inner cable starts to push or pull on the actuator ram and thus the steering arm of the outdrive. Forum not letting me upload a video so the photos are trying to show the tube in the 2 positions of tube movement. Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[pchoate1]

Attached video link shows the actuator movement ( ). I've installed a plastic spacer on the tube to prevent the sliding movement which eliminated the free play in the steering wheel (not water tested yet). Even though this will probably reduce the outdrive swing in one direction, I am hopeful this will improve steering response to what it should be and like the other boats I have owned. Again, has anyone else seen this or have a lot of free play in their steering or is this just normal?