Odd shifter problem, need advice

My 833 in my 69' Dart (photo) had the same issue. SLOP!!!!! I bought new rod bushings and spring clips, along with adding an extra shim or spacer in the Comp-Plus shifter box. That was 36 years ago and still shifting great. The shifting rods (all) need to be in the correct position for a flawless shift.
Your factory shifter rods (linkage) had bushings ?