Strange Vibramute on 1963 reissue Fillmore

[Hydra19]

I got a real nice looking Fillmore 1963 Mosrite but it's been a weird player. Strings feel very loose and it doesn't stay in tune very well. The bridge saddles move so I will get a NOS bridge for that but I'm thinking the strange Vibramute may also be a reason.

It does not have bearings, it's just a metal rod to hold the tailpiece in place. and perhaps this contributes to the stiff vibrato feel.
I have a real 1966 with the coolest feeling vibrato and now a Kurokumo Super Excellent that also has bearing and feels real nice. I'm thinking if I can't fix this that I'll take the Super Excellent vibrato and hope it will fit on the Fillmore.

Have you ever seen a Mosrite that didn't have bearings but just a rod? I will post pics when I get home and change strings. It's just a rod, lubed and it sticks out about 2-3 mm on each side of the tailpiece. When the strings are loose it moves from side to side and when I bend the strings while playing I can see the arm moving down