Couple of things to look at:

1. Are the pintles and gudgeons solidly attached to the stern?
2. Is the fit of the rudderhead snug onto the pintles and gudgeons?
3. Does the rudderblade stay firmly in the rudderhead?
4. Does the rudderhead rock forward and back on the pintles and gudgeons?
5. Does the rudderhead rock laterally on the pintles and gudgeons?

• Pintles and gudgeons can be shimmed.
• Rudderblades can be shimmed.
• All bolts can be tightened.
• Steering lines should be amsteel. They should be a small diameter. They should be tight. The steering alignment needs to be totally centered.
• Avoid using straps, go bowline to hitches.