Here we go a deep dive into the steering on my Bavaria. I'm posting this for some advice and also to notify other yacht owners with these systems in their steering!
note the condition of the bearings for the main arm, there are three of them, they are 6009 2RS I'm amazed that the steering didn't feel too bad, in normal conditions, however once that big spade rudder got loaded up, close hauled, I was struggling to counter act some weather helm. Pottering around and it steered fine with no binding. So I'm just saying for people with these items, take a close look. Mine had about 2mm of play.
it took a decent press to separate the bearings out of there. I wonder if Stainless bearings would be worth considering? Probably weaker but no corrosion!
The pinion has a R18RS bearing, but it will require machining off the sprocket & rewelding to replace that. These things are listed as available, but let's just say you could spend a couple of week ends and still be way in front $$$
cheers Richard