The Steering Pedestal is actually Yacht Specialties / Merriman (above the sole), and below everything is Edson ... Quadrant, Sheaves, wire, etc. and Tiller Arm.

The hole I think you're talking about is the 3/8" hole for my Tiller Arm to pin to the Stock. The Arm is bolted together around the Stock in two halves like normal, and there is a 1.25" x 3/8" bolt tapped into the Tiller Arm and into that hole of the Stock (not tapped into Stock). I'd taken the Arm off before I took this picture.

The Collar could be SS. The existing one is Aluminum and seems to have done okay for ... yes ... almost 30 years. Hopefully, I can get it off !

That is a good looking "Safety Collar" from Tides. I like the SS aspect of it, and it seems robust. But I don't think I like the Set Screw component. I see where they say "will never drop out of the boat" ... but I like how with mine, I have (2) 3/8 x 1" bolts through the Collar and well into the Stock, on either side ... it's not going anywhere. Did you read the recent posts about Be Good Too, I can't recall for sure, but I thought there was an issue with set screws on the AP Tiller Arm failing ?

I have talked to Tartan about what they recommend for the Washer, and they suggested Duralon, but they didn't say Delrin would not work.

Access by way of the port side Sail Locker is actually quite good, I can get right there no problem, in fact I can easily hug the Stock. No way you get there easily from the QB, which is to stbd.

Yes, will have to drop the Rudder. At least 7-8" to slip old stuff off and slip new stuff on. And change that Packing while I'm at it. Boat is in the water, should be fun, but I think doable.

Thanks for the links ! Had not ever seen that T40 drawing before ...

Cheers, John