thanks for that pepin, i noticed a slight bend forward in my rod so i can see why they beefed it up from 1/2inch to 9/16th, will swim it all in a $3 tube of clear bathroom silicon

i guess ideally i would replace it with the new assembly but as it is a lot of cash and i only sail in a small lake with no chop i reckon i can get away with the old striker system, as long as i keep an eye on it