to show the amount of gap in between the steerer and the top of the stem? I'm at a work right now but can do so tonight. fwiw i can get it snug but it develops play after a few weeks. I do have a stem that is the same length in a 6 degree rise (currently running a -17 on top of a 5mm spacer because I like the "flat stem" look) so I could run that slammed with a positive rise and the spacer on top which I believe would give me just about the same bar position but then I'd have to buy a new stem for my cross bike and would rather save the $80 or whatever if I don't have to spend it. my only hypothesis is that the stem isn't providing enough clamping force on the stem (you're not supposed to put carbon paste on that interface are you?) so is actually partially relying on the top cap to stay in place, which is not how it's supposed to work (theoretically once you tighten the stem the top cap doesn't do anything).

this is such a dumb problem but is giving me so much anxiety.