Boat is out and there is some up and down play on the prop shaft. The play is in the bushing that supports the shaft. Cutlass bearing? How much to do it? Can a dumb guy like me do this job? Thanks...
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The cost...
...will be around two to three-hundred dollars. You could do it yourself and save some dough, but I'd recommend a pro. The pro has a tool that presses the old one out while inserting the new one. Takes the pro a lot less time than it would take you. Cheers, Bob
...will be around two to three-hundred dollars. You could do it yourself and save some dough, but I'd recommend a pro. The pro has a tool that presses the old one out while inserting the new one. Takes the pro a lot less time than it would take you. Cheers, Bob
Cut the cutlass
The trick we use is to stick a hacksaw blade thru the circle and carefully cut thru the bearing. It doesn't matter a lot if you nick the strut itself, but you can cut 'almost' thru it and it will probably crack the rest of the way when tapped. Then you need to get the right diameter new bearing and press it in with a clamp. Usually the length is not right so you have to take the blade and remove the excess length. Clean up the edge where it was cut, and its done. Pretty simple.
The trick we use is to stick a hacksaw blade thru the circle and carefully cut thru the bearing. It doesn't matter a lot if you nick the strut itself, but you can cut 'almost' thru it and it will probably crack the rest of the way when tapped. Then you need to get the right diameter new bearing and press it in with a clamp. Usually the length is not right so you have to take the blade and remove the excess length. Clean up the edge where it was cut, and its done. Pretty simple.
Replacing cutless bearing
If you can get the shaft out without dropping the rudder or lifting the engine it is not too difficult. Undo the coupling bolts at the rear of the tranny, press the shaft out of the coupling ( there are several articles in Archives on this) and slide the shaft out. Then as John says, carefully saw the bearing and remove it- I cut two cuts about 1/4 in apart the length of the bearing and then tapped the end up with a screw driver to get it sarted. You should find there is one or two set screws hold ing the bearing in. undo them. Clean up the inside of the strut with fine sand paper and get it good and smooth. Put the new bearing in the freezer overnite and carry it to the boat in ice. Warm up the strut with a propane torch- doesnt have to be super hot, then grab the bearing out of the ice beside you and VERY quickly push it in as far as it will go. Doesnt matter which way youu push it in from, just remember you need some room to tap it in the rest of the way with a block of soft wood and a hammer. It should go in about 3 inches before the warm strut and the cold bearing change temp and the fitting gets tight. a little grease on the outside of the bearing helps good luck- where are you moored in Toronto?
If you can get the shaft out without dropping the rudder or lifting the engine it is not too difficult. Undo the coupling bolts at the rear of the tranny, press the shaft out of the coupling ( there are several articles in Archives on this) and slide the shaft out. Then as John says, carefully saw the bearing and remove it- I cut two cuts about 1/4 in apart the length of the bearing and then tapped the end up with a screw driver to get it sarted. You should find there is one or two set screws hold ing the bearing in. undo them. Clean up the inside of the strut with fine sand paper and get it good and smooth. Put the new bearing in the freezer overnite and carry it to the boat in ice. Warm up the strut with a propane torch- doesnt have to be super hot, then grab the bearing out of the ice beside you and VERY quickly push it in as far as it will go. Doesnt matter which way youu push it in from, just remember you need some room to tap it in the rest of the way with a block of soft wood and a hammer. It should go in about 3 inches before the warm strut and the cold bearing change temp and the fitting gets tight. a little grease on the outside of the bearing helps good luck- where are you moored in Toronto?
How much play?
Some play in the shaft is OK. Less than a 1/16th of an inch does not mean you need to replace the cutlass bearing. David Lady Lillie
Some play in the shaft is OK. Less than a 1/16th of an inch does not mean you need to replace the cutlass bearing. David Lady Lillie
CBYC
There is just a bit of play, I would say 1/16th" We dock at CBYC (Bluffs) in the Toronto area. Regards
There is just a bit of play, I would say 1/16th" We dock at CBYC (Bluffs) in the Toronto area. Regards
One of our favourite destinations
CBYC is one of our favourite destinations, we visited three times this year. Look me up if you get over to NYC- H34 " Friendship" regards
CBYC is one of our favourite destinations, we visited three times this year. Look me up if you get over to NYC- H34 " Friendship" regards
On the contrary...
A "little" slop in the bearing can cause catastrophic damage in a hurry. A sixteenth (even 1/32" or less) is enough to warrant replacement. This is not one of those areas where "close enough" is acceptable. Just my two-cents (U.S.) Cheers, Bob
A "little" slop in the bearing can cause catastrophic damage in a hurry. A sixteenth (even 1/32" or less) is enough to warrant replacement. This is not one of those areas where "close enough" is acceptable. Just my two-cents (U.S.) Cheers, Bob
Hire a pro
Ok...a new cutlass it is. When I hire a pro...how much should it cost? Parts and labour? Regards
Ok...a new cutlass it is. When I hire a pro...how much should it cost? Parts and labour? Regards
Cost of a bearing
Paul: If you boat is on the hard, then you should be looking at something like 1-2 hrs labor and the cost of the bearing, typically $50-70 USD. Most yard have a special tool to remove the bearing.
Paul: If you boat is on the hard, then you should be looking at something like 1-2 hrs labor and the cost of the bearing, typically $50-70 USD. Most yard have a special tool to remove the bearing.
Mine's hard to come at.
My Grampian has a full keel, and a ruined cutlass bearing. Trying to follow along in my mind's eye, I imagine I'll have to remove the prop, so I can slide the shaft out with the rudder cocked to one side. My boat still has the original "Atom Bomb" (Atomic 4), and VERY limited access to the gearbox. How hard will it be to disconnect the shaft (I realise that this may be an impossible question)?
My Grampian has a full keel, and a ruined cutlass bearing. Trying to follow along in my mind's eye, I imagine I'll have to remove the prop, so I can slide the shaft out with the rudder cocked to one side. My boat still has the original "Atom Bomb" (Atomic 4), and VERY limited access to the gearbox. How hard will it be to disconnect the shaft (I realise that this may be an impossible question)?
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