Topband: Titanex V160HD Sloppy Tube-Joints

[Dave G4GED]

Hi All and thanks for reading.

When I luffed-over my 6 year old V160HD for it's annual maintenance 
check, it struck me just how sloppy all the various jointed sections 
have become.
It's not that the securing bolts have become loose, they're still firm 
and tight.

As owners will know, there are two doughnut shaped shims per section 
joint to adjust for the difference in tube sizes and it's the play 
between these and the tube ends that's the problem. I don't remember 
there being between a half to one mm gaps around the circumference in 
the past?

I don't know whether new shims would fix it but Titanex no longer answer 
emails and I wouldn't know where to start trying to find an outsource 
willing to make me a few new ones to the required tolerances.
Adding any more guys than the set I have at 12m is also a no go.
The only thing I think may help, is to try increasing the tube overlap 
at each joint from the present  nominal 5 inch to say 10 inch or more?
Possibly adding an additional bolt at each joint also?

I wonder if any other Titanex owners have had this problem and have any 
advice to share please?

Many thanks in advance.
Dave G4GED