cutles bearing replacement

[george schmidbauer]

cutless bearing replacement

Hi Has any one tried to replace a cutless bearing on a 1984 Hunter 31? I would like to try it myself, but it looks like I will have to drop the rudder.I thought about removing the strut but it is molded into the hull.

Thanks

 

[Richard Bryer]

Re: cutless bearing replacement

I did the replacement myself 5 years ago on our 83 H34. Suspect the job is pretty similiar.
I contemplated dropping the rudder and the digging of a hole proved just too difficult. Tried removing the strut- found getting it off was going to be VERY difficult and I was concerned with getting it on again exactly as it was. I lifted the engine- it proved to be pretty easy- didn't even have to disconnect anything, there was enough give that I could get it just high enough to pull the shaft with coupling out the front after removing the prop. I used a couple of 2x4s across the companionway, a short piece of chain fastened to the lifting points with the screw together links, and my mainsheet tackle. Nice part is that as you are only removing the top bolts on the mounts, if you set it back down straight and dont knock anything out of alignment you dont have to worry about re-aligning.

 

[george schmidbauer]

Thanks for the reply. I never considered moving the engine.I will have to look into that .It does sound a little scary.

 

[kenwarner]

Re: cutless bearing replacement

I did my Hunter 31 1984 several years ago in CT. The strut is removable (unless someone has glassed it in) by taking out the 4 bolts unter the rear berth. With the prop off, then you can slide the strut off the shaft and take it to the local machine shop to press in the new Cutless bearing.

-ken warner

 

[Richard Bryer]

Not so scary- you dont have to lift it very high. My mainsheet tackle is 8:1 so even at 380 or so lbs (3gmf engine) one person can lift it . I figure now that I know what I am doing I could lift it and pull the shaft in an hour easily. Getting the prop off is the hardest. Block it from under when you have it up and tie your 2X4s to the cabin top winches so nothing can slip.

 

[george schmidbauer]

My strut is glassed in with 2 bolts, I believe. I'm going to pull the boat this summer to paint the bottom and take a better look at the bearing.Thats for all the advice!

 

[garyc]

their are tools that allow you to just press the bearing out. I was able borrow one a few years back and changing the bearing was a piece of cake.The only I had to remove was the prop

 

[george schmidbauer]

garyc, were you able to press out the bearing without removing the shaft?

 

[garyc]

Yes. remove prop and press out check archives. Some people have made thier own tool by cutting a pipe with the correct id in half and using threaded rod to remove bearing.

 

[Don Crowther]

Hey Max

I just did mine this fall. Made the tool with the help of a neighbour. I can send you a couple of pictures of the tool. You can buy one or maybe rent one if your near a marina. My prop is a folding one so it's a little different to remove.
I pushed the older bearing out with the new one. I pushed it towards the engine. Once it was pushed out I used an angle grinder to cut the old one in half to remove it from the shaft. My strut appeared to be glassed in but it turns out that it was just filled in with bondo.
Cheers Don

 

[george schmidbauer]

Hi Don I thick I will try your method to remove the bearing,it looks to be the quickest.I would like to see pictures of the tool if possible? Thanks !

 

[Don Crowther]

Ok Max

Here's a couple of pic's. It's pretty basic but worked well. I used 1/2 redi-rod about 18" long which worked well since it comes in 36" length.
There are two set screws on the side of the strut. I removed them and tried to put some wd 40 in there. Mine was a tight push all the way.

If you need any more info. just let me know.
Don

 

[george schmidbauer]

Hi Don I just want to thank you and the other guys for all the help.I think it's worth a try.The pictures of the press are great.It's about as I would picture making it.I will give it a try this summer. Thanks

 

[Nelsonhow]

Did the cutlass on my H-27 a few years ago. I dropped the rudder. But come to think of it lifting the motor might have been easier.

To get the old bearing out I used a hacksaw blade and carefully cut the bearing from the inside. Once you make one or two cuts lengthwise through the rubber and the brass you can use a small screwdriver to bend the the old bearing in and a needle nose pliers to pull it out. (Make sure you back out the allan key set screws on the outside...sometime they are covered with bottom paint and are a little hard to find. If you remove the old bearing you'll see the points of the set screws on the inside of the strut.)

Be careful not to cut the inside of the strut with the saw blade. A little emery cloth on the inside of the strut and on the outside of the new bearing and you should be able to push it part way in. I used some large washers a piece of threaded rod with 2 nuts to press the new bearing in the rest of the way.

Replace the set screws and you are good to go....

Not a hard job definitely a DYI project......