Funky Shifter Issue?

[Polygon]

So, I was thinking about installing my Seattle STS tomorrow. So, I was checking out the bushing. However, when ChargerX3 and I were checking out the linkage when you move the shifter side to side there's a lot of play in the joint. There's a picture below pointing out the joint in question. It's a good deal of play, at least 1/4" to maybe even 1/2".

How would that have happened and how much could that contribute to me having a grinding issue going into 2nd and 3rd?

[Pensky3thousand]

It happens over time. It is a wear point. Mine did it too. What it does is skew your linkage all the way to the shift forks. This can put a abnormal load on the shift fork basically making it crooked and over time it wears the synchros faster beacause of the skewed engagment points on the synchros from the forks.

[Polygon]

Awesome.

My syncros are still bad and this probably had a lot to do with it.