Cutlass Bearing Replacement

[thetone]

Does anyone have any info on replacing the cutlass bearing while the shaft is still in the boat? I don't think I can take the shaft out because of rust. I have seen some instructions from You Tube where a piece of threaded pipe is cut in half, placed over the shaft and a device is fashioned out of two pieces of wood with U shaped cuts. Then it is bolted to a plate on the prop side. The bolts are then tightened to remove the old bearing. I also need to know how to then pack a new bearing into the strut. The boat has a 1 inch shaft.
I would really be thankful for any help.

 

[capejt]

I had the yard do it for me a few years back. If memory serves, it only cost a couple hundred bucks, and they have the right tools.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

You can have the yard do it or get a tool and do it yourself. Here the tool I use. Good luck

 

[IanJ]

The yard recently did mine too, whilst the bottom was painted. Wasnt very pricey

 

[seadaddler]

Yard

I would strongly advise to have the yard guy replace the cutlass bearing
while shaft is still in the strut.
Nick

 

[philwsailz]

Google STRUT-PRO. Pricey tool, but it will last you forever. I bought one... It was a joy to use.

 

[Keith13315]

I bought and used the Strut-Pro worked like a charm. The job was done and the guys at the marina asked when I was going to start the job. My thought is if I use it twice it's paid for. I will use it twice for sure probably more.

 

[thetone]

The Strut Pro tool will not budge the bearing. Any suggestions on removing the badly rusted coupling in order to get the shaft out?

 

[Keith13315]

Did you loosen the set screws on the cutlass bearing? If you didn't check the strut bottom you will see two set screws if not maybe they got filled in. If you did all that try penetrating lub. and or heat. Mine came right kind a like butter on a hot knife. Sorry to hear you are having an issue. noting worse that thinking the job will go smoothly only to have it take 5 times longer with 20 times the aggravation.

 

[thetone]

The set screws were loosened. Do you know if the rudder will need to be removed to get the shaft out? Can the strut be removed with the shaft still in?

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

The set screws were loosened. Do you know if the rudder will need to be removed to get the shaft out? Can the strut be removed with the shaft still in?

If your shaft is centered then you do need to remove the rudder. Or if you have access to the nuts inside you can remove the strut and pull the shaft out on the side of the rudder. Be aware however that removing the strut will absolutely need realigning and probably entail epoxy, gelcoat work and fairing after re-installing. Are you sure the insert is lined up properly to push the cutlass bearing out when tensioning the Strut-Pro ? You could also wrap rags around the shaft and strut and liberally soak them with PB Blaster for a day or two. Attach a bucket under the strut to prevent leaking into the ground. Then I would retry the Strut Pro tool. If that doesn't work then perhaps someone can advise about using heat ? Good luck

 

[Keith13315]

Yeah stay away form strut removal if at all possible. Yes the rudder needs to be removed and that is not an easy job. All of that is why I bought the strut Pro so I did not need to do all of that. I started removing the strut and thought better of that direction. I truly do not understand why the SP won't take the cutlass out. Silly question but are you using the correct size collar? Just a thought.

 

[thetone]

I just unbolted the strut from the boat took the strut off and had a new bearing pressed into it. All is good now!

 

[Keith13315]

Great glad you got it done. I am still perplexed that the Strut Pro did not do the job mine went excellent. Fair winds and lots of sun
Keith