Out on the blue, the helm has a way of telling you the truth before anything actually breaks. Sometimes it’s a little extra effort, sometimes a soft, uncertain feel, sometimes a clunk that shows up like clockwork at the same angle. You don’t need to be mystical about it; you just need to pay attention.
The trick is to buy yourself time and sea room, then make small, deliberate moves while you sort command from power and power from what the rudder’s actually doing. Chasing a neat single cause can waste daylight and invite bigger loads than the gear can take.
Keep it steady, keep it repeatable, and don’t let impatience do the steering.