[jakeru]

Gelbster, you are correct that the lever amplifies the slop at the bushing up at the knob, by probably a several-times factor.

However, I just checked my notes from my Phenix engineering bushing install, and measured (using calipers) the difference between the inside diameter for the Phenix bushings and the OD of the plastic pins was .0015" (one-and-a-half thousandths of an inch). This fit is such that quickly installed dry, there is noticeable air pressure resistance, and installed with grease, some pressure and several seconds waiting is necessary for the pieces to fully move in position. One-and-a-half thou, in my opinion, is just the right amount of clearance for grease to be retained, for there to be absolutely no noticeable or measureable slop at the shift knob, and to cause no unnecessary binding or friction.

Also from my notes, the difference in OD of the Phenix bushings to the ID of the plastic console bore was .004", but as I describe above, this can be completely eliminated with anaerobic locking fluid to basically glue them into place.

Also from my notes, the axial deflection of pretty much new (used, very low-miles) OE plastic bushings, when deflected with forces they might reasonably typically encounter, was in the realm of .010" - .020". (Of course, the play and deflection of high-miles, old, worn out plastic bushings could be expected to be even worse than the high end of this range, and we're going to have several-times amplification of all of these movements making some very noticeable movements at the knob.)