a home made tool for cutlass bearing replacement

[AJ]

I have an idea for a cutlass bearing replacement without taking the strut off and not using the special( and expensive) tool. I am looking for a sanity check from a mechanically inclined sailorHere's my idea.Taking a piece of galvanized pipe with a 1" ID and a 11/4" OD about 8" long threaded on one end. On the threaded end weld a bolt, then cut the enttire assembly in half. Take the 2 pieces and place it around the shaft and place 2 clamps on the upper side to hold it in place. Then with a pipe clamp with 1 end on the bolt and the other at the stern end of the strut tighten it down to remove the bearing.Obviously, my shaft size is 1" and the dia. on the strut is 11/4".I thought about removing the strut but I think it involves taking off the rudder too and I'm told if there are shims on the strut, I must get them back or alignment will be off.I am looking for an opinion from the mechanically inclined. Marina is telling me the job will be about $300., but will get a hell of a lot of satisfaction doing it myself. Lastlythe strut is 3" long and I can't seem to find a bearing under 4" Can I cut the bearing?ThanksAJ

 

[richj]

tool

AJ,I have a 27 O'Day, last year I replaced the cutlass bearing myself

 

[Jim Ewing]

What I did...

I got a piece of 1" I.D. copper pipe and flared one end out to 1 1/8". I don't think you want to use galvanized because the strut and old bearing are bronze and the galvanized could damage it. Copper's softer. I pulled the prop slid the pipe over the shaft and tapped the old bearing out with a hammer. I cut the old bearing off with my dremel tool. Slid the new one on and tapped it home with the same pipe. Total savings about $450.00.Jimh37.5 "Esmeral"