There is no bearing there just a flat "washer" that was made from polycarbonate that acted as a spacer between the hull and the top of the rudder. The rudder than goes through the stuffing box and any slop could be tightened by changing out the flax packing and snugging down on it a bit, just don't over tighten because it doesn't get much water for lubrication unlike the prop shaft stuffing box. I would look into replacing this washer with Delrin or something similar that is more slick than poycarbonate.
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