I'm looking into installing a below deck autopilot in my E35-3. I'd like to use an Edson tiller arm on the rudder post as the attachment point for the drive, rather than use th quadrant. However, the rudder post has a sleeve, seems to be a dense plastic, that covers it from the lower glassed in area to the deck fitting. It rotates freely and also has give of about a half inch up and down. Can anyone tell me the purpose of this sleeve and whether I can safely remove it to mount the Edson tiller arm there? Thanks!