Our 365GL was supplied in UK in November 2006. I am almost certain that the autopilot was fitted during the commissioning in 2006.
Our installation is fitted with a bottle screw between the ends of the chain from the autopilot to the wheel. No issues over the years and your question has prompted me to take the photo below of our installation. I have now put it on my “to do” list to take up some of the slack in the chain next week.