Don't worry, you're not crazy, I had those same two issues. And no, the bolt was not "cross threaded" nor was the rubber seal "installed wrong". :rolleyes:
A. Then you should have just told those customers who could not stand the sight of some extra clamp hanging off to cut the excess with some wire cutters or tin snips... Instead of making everyone else struggle with clamps that are simply too small.
B. I doubt that... A set of quality, OEM-like...
Got mine from UPR and installed it yesterday. While I must say I love the looks and design behind it (why I got it in the first place) the kit just has terrible quality hardware. One of the de-gaser relocation bracket bolts snapped off while I was tightening it. Not even torquing it that hard...
I think what you're hearing is just drive train slack. Get yourself some differential bushing inserts and get rid of 90% of it. For the remaining 10%, a 1 piece driveshaft.