Transfer case motor diagnosis.

I have a 2003 Tacoma, manual transmission with the push button 4wd.

Since I bought the truck, the 4wd has been acting up. Today I got the courage and pulled apart the cover on the transfer case motor. Upon I attempting to manually turn the gear, it had about half an inch of horizontal play, after further turning it would “spring back” into the position where there is play present. Is this normal? I didn’t want to break anything that’s why I didn’t turn it further. While turning the gear the front drive shaft would not “lock” up. Does that mean it needs to be replaced or is that normal operation for the transfer case motor.