I guess im the guinea pig on this one.
I have messed around with trying this mod in my b5 for the last two days and i cant get it to work properly. My shifter refuses to go into 2 4 and 6 properly. I would not recommend this to anyone after trying this in the car. The spherical bearing does not have enough articulation when installed into the cage.
If you look at the jhm kit, it comes with special spacers with a taper on the end and centers it at the same pivot height as oem. this allows for better articulation compared to the spacers and washers recommended in this thread.
Unless someone has a pro tip that im missing, im welding my stock ball back on and getting the plastic rebuild kit. Waist of time.

I am not associated or endorsed by jhm in any manner.