For those that have upgraded shifting parts

[Wret]

I may have one of highet milage cars on the forum (currently about (295K) and I obsess about shifter play. I have never found any significant amount of play associated with the cable ends. I have a short shifter and keep the main pivot greased, shimmed and tight. That helps but most of the play observed in my case is from the side lever with the plastic slot. The tolerences open up with time and wear. There is a kit that replaces the plastic slotted piece and also a DIY or two showing how to shim the ball or the slot to eliminate the slop. I haven't addressed this myself but I have a pack of brass shim stock of different thickessess for that purpose.