Originally Posted by Chombi1

I'm trying to remember, but I think there is a thin brass washer under the silver outside cap that acts as a shim to minimize lateral play. If that's missing.you might end up with the looseness you are describing.
The mounting bolt on those shifters look like replacements. The originals were slotted chrome screws.
one thing I do remember with my Retros was a replacement mounting bolt that is too long would bottom out and the levers would end up too loose on the pivots. I still remember cutting one of my replacement bolts because of this, to make them work right.