tried to put the gimble lock in place and it wasn't seated against the lens properly,,,

sort of pushed it in an ackward position....

the gimble shakes around like a nervous gineau pig... how forgiving is it ???

Just take it back out and make sure the sides of the lock are clipped into the gaps. It's a rough fit to make, but it helps if you use two hands and lay the unit on your lap upside down to do it

Your saying it shakes while powered off correct?
It's on dampeners and you should be fine.