my factory **** had a bad stiching and would slice my ring
finger from time to time during a 2-3 4-5 shift. one time it
cut me pretty bad to the point i was bleeding.

so i went with a MOMO ball. i like. it is the set-screw type,
but it has not loosened at all the last 2yrs or so of ownership.
with the Helix13 short shifter adapter, feels pretty good.

 

Actually I played with it some on lunch, and it moves any direction, it acts like the ball bearings don't even touch the shaft...thus it moves all around :(

And the closest person I know with another mini is 60 miles away.....

 

Something doesn't sound right at all.

Is the base of the **** sitting down the top of that flange?
Does it feel like it's locked on, or are you able to pull it up and off of the lever?

 

I am the proud/happy owner of 2 Whalen shift *****. Love them both. Actually I like my red #3 cue ball better because it doesn't hold the heat(an issue in Florida) and it matches (pretty close )to my CR dash. Never had an issue with either Whalen being loose. Never liked the OEM "Dixie Cup".

 

Yes, the bottom sits flush with the top. IT's locked on, I have to pull up on the release to get it down to to where it's flush, and then let it go and it sits flush...it doesn't move up really, just it acts like the shift lever is too skinny almost......

 

Do you know any machinists? Any way that you can get your hands on a micrometer, and find out for sure?

That plastic covering is injection-molded onto the steel rod; so about the only way for the diameter to be undersized would be if the mold had a short shot or something.
I suppose it's possible, but not very likely.