Can the end play be checked with the engine installed in a vehicle via the front pulley? This is on a manual trans S4, I cannot access the plate to get to the flywheel on the bellhousing without removal of the intake.

 

yep.

quick and dirty, push/pull on it, and you shouldn't be able to feel it move.

with measuring tools, you probably should loosen/remove the belts, and then you'd get the spec as in the FSM

 

I am probably paranoid, but i had my front cover off yesterday to replace the oil pump and front o ring, all went smoothly, pulleys all alligned up before tightening the bolt, got everything torqued down fine, i decided to check end play by grabbing front pulley, could not feel any. I had the clutch pushed down all the time my front hub nut was removed. I have run the engine maybe 30-45 minutes since, if my torrington bearing fell, it would be noticed by now by increasing end play?

I realized after i had finished that you could measure the front hub to eshaft distance to see if the bearing fell. I am probably being paranoid though.