An extreme real world example that might support the idea of using a second thrust bearing/bearing plate: My tower is a Tri-Ex (Tashjian) LM-354HDSP crank-up/tilt-over. My mast is 30' (18' CM + 12' a
Is the aluminum on the rotator side of the mast or the top? Hopefully the Chromemolly is on the bottom. If the 6' piece in the tower is bowing, the 24' sticking out of the tower must really be bowing
The 12' of aluminum is at the top- the Chromemolly is in the tower. The aluminum portion of the mast has VHF/UHF antennas mounted on it; probably the heaviest thing on the top 12'of the mast is the F
This is an indication that the top plate to rotator distance is not long enough rather than too long, or the mast extends too far above the top bearing and the mast needs to be a bit more rigid.(or