The weather looks like it is starting to turn around and I am looking forward to some boatwork soon. I will be changing out the cutlass bearing for the first time and was wondering if the propeller shaft can be pulled straight out or whether the rudder will be blocking it? Does anyone have any advice? I tried looking through the archives but was unable to locate any specific to the H-33 models. Thanks, Scott A.
1981 H-33 Cutlass Bearing Change-out
- Thread starter Scott A.
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replace H33 Cutlass bearing
Hi Scott Changed mine last week. The shaft will not clear the rudder. Not even sure if it will when the strut is removed. Anyhow I found a roving yard mechanic with a special tool that presses out the bearing with the strut and shaft in place. Also used it for installing new bearing. It was easy and quick. Only downside was he charged $100 but it was a pretty fancy tool complete with hydraulic ram and press. The bearing cost $70. Good luck, Henry
Hi Scott Changed mine last week. The shaft will not clear the rudder. Not even sure if it will when the strut is removed. Anyhow I found a roving yard mechanic with a special tool that presses out the bearing with the strut and shaft in place. Also used it for installing new bearing. It was easy and quick. Only downside was he charged $100 but it was a pretty fancy tool complete with hydraulic ram and press. The bearing cost $70. Good luck, Henry
I replaced mine in 2002
I had to drop my rudder, which required digging a hole deep enough to clear the rudder shaft from beneath the hull. I had a tough time getting the old one out, did not have any special tool to press it out. Then I made a home made press to push the new one in which worked very well. My new bearing only cost about $30. While you are at it, check your shaft to be sure it is not bent. I found mine was and replaced it also with a new SS one. Things ran much smoother after that.
I had to drop my rudder, which required digging a hole deep enough to clear the rudder shaft from beneath the hull. I had a tough time getting the old one out, did not have any special tool to press it out. Then I made a home made press to push the new one in which worked very well. My new bearing only cost about $30. While you are at it, check your shaft to be sure it is not bent. I found mine was and replaced it also with a new SS one. Things ran much smoother after that.
CutlassBearing
Hi Scott.........there is no need to drop the rudder ....as Dancing Bear said there is a tool which makes the removal and replacing easy ...I replaced mine a couple of years ago and had a friend make it for me ......I think that I had the old one out and the new one in in about two to three hours .......... I have the specs and pictures on it ......and can send it to you if you are interested ....let me know ......... Dick
Hi Scott.........there is no need to drop the rudder ....as Dancing Bear said there is a tool which makes the removal and replacing easy ...I replaced mine a couple of years ago and had a friend make it for me ......I think that I had the old one out and the new one in in about two to three hours .......... I have the specs and pictures on it ......and can send it to you if you are interested ....let me know ......... Dick
Cutlass Bearing Tool
Dick, I was going to look at making a tool and would very much appreciate any info you could give me. My email address is liland(at)sympatico.ca. Just changeout the (at) for @. Thanks, Scott
Dick, I was going to look at making a tool and would very much appreciate any info you could give me. My email address is liland(at)sympatico.ca. Just changeout the (at) for @. Thanks, Scott
Never Hammer on it
I reccommend a quick read of some of the articles at the link below. You can find out how to loosen the strut in the hull (or not) and even how to break the transmission housing using a shaft extraction tool (or not). I figure it is a good idea to use pullers and extractors that apply force directly between the two components you are are trying to separate and use only the correct techniques. A few bucks spent on buying or renting the right tool or expertise can save big in the long run.
I reccommend a quick read of some of the articles at the link below. You can find out how to loosen the strut in the hull (or not) and even how to break the transmission housing using a shaft extraction tool (or not). I figure it is a good idea to use pullers and extractors that apply force directly between the two components you are are trying to separate and use only the correct techniques. A few bucks spent on buying or renting the right tool or expertise can save big in the long run.
Rudder in the way
I just finished changing everything on my drive train. One thing to note is that I was able to remove my shaft (past the rudder) IF the cutless bearing was removed first. Removing the bearing, provided just enough (no extra!) room to slide the shaft through. The bearing can then be pushed into place, over the shaft, before the prop is installed. I prefitted the bearing, and drilled set screw dimples before do the complete re-assembly. From me, dropping the rudder, required digging into compacted rock chunks, a major effort. Chris
I just finished changing everything on my drive train. One thing to note is that I was able to remove my shaft (past the rudder) IF the cutless bearing was removed first. Removing the bearing, provided just enough (no extra!) room to slide the shaft through. The bearing can then be pushed into place, over the shaft, before the prop is installed. I prefitted the bearing, and drilled set screw dimples before do the complete re-assembly. From me, dropping the rudder, required digging into compacted rock chunks, a major effort. Chris
H-33 Cutlass
Hi Scott, I replaced my cutlass a few years ago on my 82 H-33.I removed the prop, removed the ss machine screws and nuts holding the strut up and slid it off the shaft.Replaced the cutlass bearing,rebeded the strut.Did whole job in less than 2 hours. Bill
Hi Scott, I replaced my cutlass a few years ago on my 82 H-33.I removed the prop, removed the ss machine screws and nuts holding the strut up and slid it off the shaft.Replaced the cutlass bearing,rebeded the strut.Did whole job in less than 2 hours. Bill
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