During my annual inspection today, the AI was concerned about the side to side play in the main landing gear.  No limits given in the maintenance manuals.  Knocked the bushings in a bit which cut down the play (from 1/2 down to approx 1/4 inch).  This is his first Commander annual but he is very knowledgeable and precise; good experience.  His first inclination was to send the downlock trunnions to be re-bushed, but he seems satisfied with the way things are now.  Any comments from the experts.  The airplane has only 1250 hrs total time.  The previous AI said that some play is normal.

Also, we did the retraction test with the engine cowl installed and observed that the nose gear doors closed to leave a gap of approx 1 inch between them.  In addition, the front of the doors did not fare with the cowl but also had a gap of about an inch.  With the stiffeners, they cannot be shaped to fair with the front of the cowl.  Is this a common situation?

Rusty Green
N1147J, SN 132, 112A
Tucson, AZ