Hey Sewlow,
I installed that core shifter in my truck. Shifts super nice but makes racket in 5th gear. It goes away if i hold the shifter over to the right. Its like the detent spring is too stif and its trying to force it straight over into 3rd. 1st thru 4th are great. No noise. Trans is original to the truck. I have owned it since new, so no possibility trans is been swapped from a different year. Any ideas ?
Matt
I know I'm not the guy you're looking for, but what kind of racket is it making in fifth? I know mine will make a loud high frequency squeal/whine unless I put pressure on the stick, too. It was worse when it's new, but after it broke in operation became smoother and it wasn't as frequent (still happens now and then).
Design wise - I think the ball socket is a hair too tight. Better than too loose, but even after several thousand miles mine is still a little stiff. I saw it was pre-greased, so I didn't add anything to it. It still doesn't self-center in neutral without "helping," it. My factory shifter worked and centered perfectly fine, but I think the ball and socket joint binds just enough to where the shifter can't rest where it's supposed to. Sometimes causing noise. I even tried swapping to their Hurst shift boot in case my stock one was giving me trouble.
Haven't found it to be harmful yet, but I try to silence it because it sounds like it's doing something awful. It does happen much less now that I have some miles on it.