We pulled the transmission last night to throw in a new clutch release bearing. The retainer clip had broken and the bearing started to moan when the clutch pedal was pressed. Anyway, once we pulled the transmission, I noticed there was some play with the clutch and pressure plate. Is that normal?

 

That's the stock dual mass flywheel, and yours is shot probably, that sort of play isn't always uncommon though since the transmission input shaft stabilizes everything once it's assembled.

 

Dang, well that's not great news. I thought the moaning was from the clutch release bearing, but the bearing felt great, so I wonder if the moaning was due to the flywheel play.

 

Ended up replacing with a JWT 26lb flywheel/clutch kit. A tad louder at idle, but throttle response is so much better.