I have found that the rudder post cap and the bearing serve the same pupose,but the bearing has alot more surface area on the shaft.My cap had an egg shape were the shaft came threw from years of use and would no longer seal out the water under power.The bearing gives the tiller a much more solid feel.I still thing that the bearing is a Pearson revision from the cap just like the cockpit support.The drawing in the manuel is dated 1982.I am happy to see Im not a lone on this.
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