I cut the rudder arms because the amount I cut off was real close to the existing hole in the arm that way when I drilled a new hole you could not tell they had been cut. If you cut the tiller connector you have to cut both ends to keep the tiller centered that leaves you with extra holes in the ends of the tiller connector. The existing clevis pin holes will be close to the new ones you will have to drill in the tiller connector and the rubber connector. I was worried about the strength of both having the holes so close together.