Replace cutless bearing without removing drive shaft

[alexco38]

I did it today in less than two hours

Got the parts from Home Depot; a 1" PT black steel pipe. two flanges, and two 3/8 threaded rods. A little of hack sawing and grinding.

Total cost; $80 for the cutless bearing, $50 machine shop, $25 home deport parts.

This is standard 1" Pipe Thread pipe you can buy from Home Depot. Have a machine shop to lathe it down to a little less than the bronze strut. A lot of patient and you saved a king's ransom.

 

[Ross]

That works. Good plan. Won't work on my boat. The cutless bearing is in the stern tube.

 

[JoeWhite]

very clever alexco38- Can I get an original - not compressed copies of these photos? and Do you have more of the photos? Would it be even faster to place the new baring in front of the pipe and use it to push the old bearing out? That is push in the new bearing while the old one comes out. baysailor2000@att.net thanks.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Joe, if you join the C36 IA there is a loaner tool they have available. Probably less than the cost of parts.

 

[kenn]

Nice job, Alex.

Would it be even faster to place the new bearing in front of the pipe and use it to push the old bearing out?

Joe, this would risk flaring the ends of the new bearing as the old one's pushed out. Much safer to remove the old one first, even though it takes longer.

 

[tommays]

That was pretty sweet

 

[Tribu336]

Great idea! I was planning to replace our cutlass bearing next spring and you just showed us how to do it "easily".
Thanks!

 

[dparilla]

Photos

very clever alexco38- Can I get an original - not compressed copies of these photos? and Do you have more of the photos? Would it be even faster to place the new baring in front of the pipe and use it to push the old bearing out? That is push in the new bearing while the old one comes out. baysailor2000@att.net thanks.

I too would love the photos. Another winter project just developed!
dan@onpar.biz

 

[stpabr]

If room allows between the hull and shaft, you could split the pipe (Use a hose clamo to assist in keeping it together until the pipe is started into the strut and push it out towards the prop, then you would not have to cut the cutless off.

Good idea...

 

[Captphil24]

Nice job, I would have really been impressed if you had done it with the boat in the water.
Phil

 

[alexco38]

Split the tool?

Split the pipe would cost more than double to make by the machine shop. In order to retain the exact circumference, they have to use two pipes because there is thickness of the metal band saw blade. If you just cut a pipe and hose clamp it back, it won't fit anymore.

Since I don't plan to re-use the old bearing anyway, it is easier to cut the bearing off.

If room allows between the hull and shaft, you could split the pipe (Use a hose clamo to assist in keeping it together until the pipe is started into the strut and push it out towards the prop, then you would not have to cut the cutless off.

Good idea...

 

[stpabr]

Split the pipe would cost more than double to make by the machine shop. In order to retain the exact circumference, they have to use two pipes because there is thickness of the metal band saw blade. If you just cut a pipe and hose clamp it back, it won't fit anymore.

Since I don't plan to re-use the old bearing anyway, it is easier to cut the bearing off.

The pipe does not have to "Touch each other's sides" I just used a Commercial tool, borrowed from my marina, and it's a two piece Flange similar to what you built. It does not have to be Clamped tight, just enough to keep it together until it starts into the strut. Took me less then an hour to pust it out, then push the new one in.

Just a thought...

 

[Ray Bowles]

Nicely done. We always think of things we'd do differently next time but for your first time, I'm impressed.
Ray