John -
I have to say that I have seen a lot more gear play in the recent batch of 5945's I have ... not really happy with that seeing that there is little or NO gear play on my 8611s.. I just wish the 8611s would have a programmer.. I really hate to have more stuff to break like matchboxes and equalizers.. not to mention the rats nest of wiring.

My linkages are rock solid but there is a good 1/8" play at the surface when I wiggle it... you can actually see the output shaft moving so its the servo, not the linkage or control arms / ball links. All my 5945''s do this, so its not just a fluke.

I have had no flutter and precision still seems very good. I don't see the blow back issue you mentioned at all - I'm not sure what that is..

I think my 35% Carden will be getting all 8611s.
DP