I had a little bit of lateral play in my sprocket so had the sprocket bearing replaced. It reduced but didn't eliminate completely the free play so I mounted up the tire and have ridden it maybe 4 times in the last month. When I went to lube the chain, it seemed louder and a little less smooth when spinning the wheel than I recalled. In peering down from above, it seemed like there was a gap between the axle "flange" and the wheel that I also didn't remember ever seeing. I could be being paranoid, it wouldn't be the first time, but imagining something going wrong with the rear wheel is unsettling.

I took off the wheel and took a couple pics looking down at it that I hopefully will be able to post (I know, it's filthy). You will see it has a couple grooves that go around the circumference.
So my question is whether it is normal for what I assume is a spacer to stick out as much as it does, about 3 mm to flush with the seal (see pics attached). The spacer on the other side also has about a 2mm gap. Both are wedged in pretty tight and it seems to me the spacer on the other side used to come out pretty easily. I had the thought to try to tap them in with a rubber hammer but I wanted to ask if that was warranted and advisable. I've been known to make bad situations worse in this arena. I would really appreciate some help, as I don't feel like I should ride it until I know if this is normal and, if not normal, have gotten it fixed.
Thanks,
Jim

http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/duclad/media/IMG_0388_2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/duclad/media/IMG_0392_1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
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-Jim
'93 MC21