[DavidG]

If you think that the front of the torque tube should in the same plane as the rear surface of the center cross member or even in the opening of the center cross member, that would be incorrect. I'll not take apart one of mine to obtain the exact measurement of the gap, but it is at least a 1/2" or more and as '32phil correctly notes, there's a bit of fore and aft wiggle room via the spring shackles.