See if you can get your hands on a set of 25P Mirage Plus Props, Toe your Drives Out 1/8

couple of things, one dont think the nose cones are helping you at all, probably hurting, unless you can run 80+ they are not good and can cause weird handling if installed off just a touch. Other is you have the old style steering actuator and when they start to go steering can get very iffy and loose at times, updating to the new style or hyd would be a good idea

I've got a new actuator coming. Aside from the lines, is the install a swap? The two systems look very different. Also, can I do away with the internal tie bar?

Depends on accessability, last one I did engine was out and was not bad at all, with engine(s) in can be tuff, the new one is one piece and you loose the 2 short lines and the cylinder.

Good news!

The nose cones were the issue. I took a deadblow to them and they came off. I need to clean up the leftover epoxy and repair, but that's minor.

Back in business!

By upper gimball bearings I think they mean the pin and bushing at the top of the gimball ring.

Got it. Everything is solid on the drives/gimbals.

We went on a long trip yesterday, and she was as solid as a rock.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

glad you got it figured out...