Go Westy Shifter Rebuild Kit Install Questions...

[corvidopolis]

Hello all!
I just installed the rear & front shifter rebuild kits from GoWesty.
Everything seemed fine–beyond a couple steps being minor headaches–until I got the shift lever & lever reinstalled and tried to tighten up the bolts for the support plate (to the transmission) and the rear bushing.
After I tightened the bushing plates onto the support plate, the whole rear shaft seemed wonky.
It pulls down into the universal just fine, but the lever won't stay in a vertical position now, and it is real stiff to move.
It either is all the way forward, or all the way back, I can't get it vertical unless I detach the rear bushing and give it some "slack".

Any thoughts on what is going on here?
I was convinced I put the rear shaft on rotated 180 degrees, but looking at some photos & diagrams from other posts, I am 90% sure that is not the case.

All ideas are helpful.

1983.5 Westy with a Bostig conversion (that doesn't affect this question, but it's cool)
_________________
Chris
1983.5 Vanagon with Bostig Conversion