Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

You can read my initial review below (3 stars) to see what problems replacing my original drive socket with this unlicensed look-a-like caused me, or you can just look at the pictures labeled "Update" so see the differences between my original socket and this one. It is NOT the same. I know they look very similar, but these minor differences made ALL the difference! After tinkering with the new socket in my 5200 series machine for MONTHS, uninstalling and reinstalling it, searching online forums etc., I finally decided to try putting my original back on (which wasn't really broken to begin with - glad I kept it!) and see if that fixed the horrible imbalance/noise problems I was having. In short, it did. My blender is perfect again. With this socket it suddenly sounded like a bulldozer and would shimmy all over the counter at high speeds. TERRIBLE! I'm sure that wasn't good for my machine! Anyway, see the rest of the original review and my pictures for specs and details, but take my hard earned advice and DON'T BUY THIS if you value your Vitamix. Call the company directly and find out where to get the real deal that should have the Vitamix branding and part number on it (again, see pics). I think the website partstown.com sells all genuine OEM parts and have this drive socket in stock. Good luck! We have a vitamix 5200 (see pics for specs) that is about 5 or 6 years old now and needed a new blade, so while I was at it I figured I'd upgrade all the parts and went ahead and bought this new drive socket as well even though our old one wasn't completely worn out or anything. I thought why not do it all at once and breathe new life in the machine. In hind sight I think that was a mistake because ever since I replaced the drive socket, the blender has not worked well. I mean, it works, but it's REALLY LOUD and it is off balance. The whole unit moves across the counter top unless you push down firmly on the lid with your hand while blending. I'm so mad! The removal of the old one and the installation of the new one were easy enough using the instructions but now I don't know how to fix this problem and there is nothing I have found on the vitamix website that is helping. I have tried uninstalling and re-installing it numerous times, all with the same result. I have experimented with the level of tightness on the bolt that holds it in place but no change. I'm at my wits end. If anyone has any advice for me I'm all ears, but until such a time as I can get a clear answer why this is suddenly happening, my best advice to you all would be DO NOT REPLACE YOUR DRIVE SOCKET UNLESS YOU REALLY REALLY NEED TO!!!! I gave 3 stars because the part itself seems well made and comes well packaged.