There is a guy in CT who makes oil pump covers that use a adjustment bolt instead of the heavy springs for the side to side play/adjustment on the spindle. If you try and spin a normal spindle with the spring pressure, it rotates VERY hard. I talked to him and he said he can spin his close to a full rotation just by flicking his finger against it.
We made some custom pieces for our pumps over the winter and it made a big difference at the amount of pressure needed to turn the spindle, which should result in less wear and longer life.