Michael, I guess your linkage has been adjusted incorrectly before (it may be too long) or your engine sits in its place a bit different (compared to the standard), for example it may sit closer to the front by few mm (caused by stiff mounts). As you wrote, unfortunately the whole linkage is very sensitive for any imperfection (and to tell the truth, not the best design: the selector shaft - and selector arm - is at the bottom of the gearbox, effecting that if the engine moves a bit, the whole linkage - and the gear knob - will move lot. Moreover usually the gear selector seal leaks.) Basically, this 10% short shift link is a plug'n'go design, you have to just replace the OEM link and you don't have to adjust the linkage with standard but perfect engine mounts.