Hotpoint VTD00 – Drum rubbing rear panel.

Hi everyone,
I was hoping someone could give me a bit of advice.

My hotpoint VTD00 works just fine but recently has been causing a metallic scraping noise at certain points during a cycle.
I removed the lid and observed that the drum was travelling towards the rear panel about 3/4″…Just enough to rub the rear panel once every rotation of the drum.

Under advice I bought a kit containing bearing pads, and the replacement rear shaft/bearing etc.
I fitted these but the drum still has some degree of movement from front to rear.
It doesn’t quite touch the rear panel now, but there is a loud deep rubbing sound in place of the metallic scrape.
This is alleviated by tilting the machine forward.

I was wondering, should I replace the rear felt seal?
Is that seal there purely to contain the transfer of hot air to the drum, or should it also be acting as a support for the drum?

Many thanks.