Well, attempt #47 was semi-successful... I wedged a small piece of rubber tubing between the plates and them tapped the shifter in which knocked out the tubing,,, seemed like I was done,,, except I wasn't... now the sifter moves front to rear fine, but is EXTREMELY tight moving left to right... I have a feeling it's all coming out again tomorrow...
seems like the plates are too tight against the little ball on the end of the shifter rod...
MH