T-5 Internet Myth: Adjustable stops are needed to prevent over-shifting.

[SPeace-ATL]

Will improperly adjusted stops in a T-5 cause the shifter to rattle pretty loud under a pull in 3rd and 4th? Maybe they are adjusted too tight? I can stop the rattle by grabbing the shifter knob, but it's very annoying.

The shifter stops would not cause that. Mis-adjusted stops will improperly limit the travel of the shifter keeping the transmission from fully engaging a gear and causing it to pop out of gear.

It seems that only the factory shifter has a rubber isolator between the handle and the shifter base. This rubber makes the shifts rather sloppy, but it does hold back noise and vibrations!

Unfortunately, driving with your hand on the shifter to make it quiet will also put a little pressure on the plastic fork pads and encourage them to melt down as you drive...

[4.6L GT]

The shifter stops would not cause that. Mis-adjusted stops will improperly limit the travel of the shifter keeping the transmission from fully engaging a gear and causing it to pop out of gear.

It seems that only the factory shifter has a rubber isolator between the handle and the shifter base. This rubber makes the shifts rather sloppy, but it does hold back noise and vibrations!

Unfortunately, driving with your hand on the shifter to make it quiet will also put a little pressure on the plastic fork pads and encourage them to melt down as you drive...

So this is normal? It is just the vibrations coming through an uninsulated aftermarket shifter?

[SPeace-ATL]

So this is normal? It is just the vibrations coming through an uninsulated aftermarket shifter?

Somewhat, but shifters like to WEAR and the handle gets really loose.
In my opinion it almost seems like the aftermarket shifters seem to wear faster then the stock ones.
Don't interpret this as knocking aftermarket shifters. They shift well and feel great.

To check a shifter for wear, see if there is any VERTICAL play in the shifter handle.
Lift it up and see how much it rises. A new shifter base has no vertical play.

It is possible that a worn shifter is making the vibrations more pronounced.

[4.6L GT]

To check a shifter for wear, see if there is any VERTICAL play in the shifter handle.
Lift it up and see how much it rises. A new shifter base has no vertical play.

It is possible that a worn shifter is making the vibrations more pronounced.

There is a little play up and down, maybe a 1/16". Can having a worn out shifter cause any damage to the tranny?

[SPeace-ATL]

There is a little play up and down, maybe a 1/16". Can having a worn out shifter cause any damage to the tranny?

It will not hurt the transmission.
1/16" isn't all that bad...
I've seen some with as much as 1/4" of play!