Walt
The weed shoe is non structural to the rudder. It is there as a convenience to help keep crab pot lines from snagging the rudder. Yes tightening this bar can help to reduce rudder vibration as well as adding a shim kit. Under power and when sailing at fast speeds many IPS will vibrate in the rudder and be felt in the wheel. These helms are really built well and I would doubt that a 1998 ip40 has a shot bearing unless it has sailed around the world 2 times!
To me, it has to be a simple gear helm adjustment. I am not familiar with your helm, but have sailed on a 40 several times to Bermuda and back. I would be sure there has to be some rack and pinion gear tensioning that can be done in the pedestal. If I were you, I would start there and hold off on the bearings.
Hayden
