:: :: I just had a similar problem with my bearings, you might
:: :: have seen a couple of posts that I sent here... The
:: :: bearings were replaced, Buzz made both new top and
:: :: bottom bearings with a fast turn around for right about
:: :: $100.00..The boat's rudder is perfect now.
:: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Definitely not normal. Buzz Ballenger can make new
:: :: :: rudder bearings for you.
::
::
:: How do you remove the old bearings and how do you
:: install the new ones?

Just drop the rudderby removing the tiller head (helps to have two people) one removing the tiller head and keeper bolts and one to hold the rudder. The bearings will be exposed and you can simply slide them off the shaft of the rudder or pull them out of the hull depending on where they end up with the rudder out. Its a simple fix, but the boat does need to be out of the water to complete the swap.