Just took my shock out of my Nicolai, changed the bushes whilst at it and was shock that once the shaft end mounting hardware was taken off, the busing fell out! a new bushing does the same!

Back in the bike there is no play or creaking, but thats not normal surely! the other shock eyelet is nice and tight and grips the bushing well. Just as well theres no play as I’m off to Bike park wales in the morning!

Is there such a a thing as a bigger bushing or shim, or does my shock need a new shaft?

had something sort of similar with an air shock. The movement had seized and the shock was moving by the shim rotating against the frame. Luckily hadn’t caused damage though. Cannot remember everything but have a look at uprated bushings and tft / goldtec maybe as i think they avoid this issue. Not sure how to resolve your issue but they’d probably know.