Well Guys @ Ped
I changed the derailleur over to the SRAM X 9 sp, and found out the following:
The reason for all the looseness @ popping, with the sloppiness of derailleur arm was because the main frame top wheel housing is breaking, (PLASTIC)material, there is a 1/2" long "U" shaped crack from the center leading out to the edge. Glad I changed over when I did.
As for the change over, the Med cage X5 derailleur fits like a champ, and works with the Shimano shifter and shifts very clean with very little noise. The second hanger is permanently attached to the Shimano OEM derailleur. The only problem I ran into is: I didn't have a alum sleeve for the end end of the cable, Note: a 1/16" pop rivet alum sleeve works just as well.
I am waiting for the 6mm adjustment screw and lock from Sram dealer, the Shimano set up is different in screw size, than Sram.
I'll have to cut the main cable housing length back about 1"+, I'll make the adjustment in length when I have the adjustment screw in hand.
By using hand adjustments, the gear changes are clean and crisp, very little noise, all the way thru the 1st to the 9th gear and back down several times, and I haven't touched any adjustment screws yet, right out of the box.
I gained over 1-1/2" ground clearance from the long cage length, and I haven't adjusted the chain length, still the long cage length.
At this point in time, I am tickled PICK that everything works very well, being the first time I have ever done this type of thing.
I owe a BIG THANK YOU to Ped, and all the other members that commented for the jump start and answering all the questions I will have..
Question: Should adjust the chain length to fit this medium cage length? From the information I have read the proper chain length should be 4 links + 2?
Your thoughts and suggestions......
Tia