For slop free bearings, oil the rod and make the bearing out of "poured in place" epoxy.
Make sure the rod is perfectly straight in the bearing area and over dig the balsa a little where the bearing is going to be placed. You can use modelers' putty to make dams and the end points of the cast bearing so epoxy doesn't ooze out. Make sure that the torque rod is situated correctly, I like having it installed on the control surface already. Pour in enough 5 minute epoxy to submerge the torque rod, level off any excess. I use spackle to fill any minor depressions after the epoxy is cured. If you did a decent job of oiling the torque rod, you will have a nicely working part, if not, then get out the jackhammer and start over.[]