I installed my Tri Ax shifter last night and took it for a test drive. Well, it didn't feel too solid and I was getting some vibration in 3rd and 4th. It seemed like it was wanting to pull out of gear. If I pushed the shifter to help stay engaged, the vibration went away. Also, people speak of noise from an aftermarket shifter. To me, the transmission noise was a little quieter than stock, but I was hearing a lot of what sounded like engine noise or drone that I hadn't heard before.

So...today I decide to take it all back apart to see what was going on. I disconnected the shift linkage and got back in the car to feel the shifter. It was binding up without even being connected to the transmission! Turns out the boot was in the way. I took the whole thing back out and got everything set back up outside of the car. Everything felt smooth, so I threw it back in the car and hooked everything back up. WOW. What a difference. No vibrations in any gear, the thing shifted firmly (kinda notchy like the T5 version I liked so well) into each gear, and no noticeable cabin noise. I did add a rubber washer to each side of the rear mount to try and help the noise issue. I think what really helped was getting everything lined up properly and not having the rubber boot catch anything. While test driving I tried to move the shifter out of gear in 4th by applying a little pressue and that drone I was talking about showed up. I must have been straining the syncros and that was what I was hearing in the car.

So...if anyone is getting any vibration in their shifter, or any droning noise, make sure it isn't trying to pop out of gear and make sure the boot is installed properly. I only drove it about 15 miles since the new install, so I'll have to drive it more to be sure, but I didn't feel any vibration in any gear.

I am attaching a pic of the boot config I used and a pic of the washers. I used blue loctite on the studs and the shifter nut.

I know everyone is getting the MGW right now, but that means people are selling Tri Ax shifters now too, so maybe more people will be installing both.

Also, check Taco Bill's page for info on how to remove the shifter!! GREAT write-up.