I have just taken the rear shock off my 1WG and checked the linkage for wear - there is quite a lot of movement where it fixes to the frame. I took it off and found there are two "top hats" either side of the roller. It all seems quite sloppy to me. Should I replace it, or is it normal to have some play?

is the play side to side, cos if it is, i recon it could be a problem!up and down in the vertical would probably be less of a problem as you're weight would keep it locked unless you lifted the rear end. Our 3en1 racer didnt have top hats, it fitted exactly between the mounts that the bolt went through, maybe you have a different shock adapted to fit it?