Ok, changing my opinion 180 degrees on the NAPA shafts!
So, lesson learned...
The shafts need to be as horizontal as possible in order for the balls to ride in the cups properly.
I kinda wondered....because I found out that NAPA uses A1-Cardone for their stock. While EMPI is touted as better (bigger balls?), I didn't think anyone had discredited the Cardone stuff as viable.