Cutless bearing Catalina 28 Mk 1

[jansan]

Anyone out there with experience of replacing the rubber cutless bearing in a Mk 1 1990 Catalina 28 ? The old one literally fell out when I removed the prop shaft to replace the stern tube seal.

It had been rotating within the P bracket rather the prop shaft rotating within the cutless bearing. I am aware that the flutes inside the bearing ( when filled with water ) create a near " frictionless " bearing but it seems that the whole sleeve was on the move.

At the present time I am having difficulty sourcing the correct part. The nearest size I am being offered is 1 1/4 inch O/dia ( metal sleeved )whereas the original part is rubber and is 1 1/8 inch O/dia

If I have to resize the P bracket to take the larger sleeve has anyone had to do this ? Presumably a series of " reamers " would be required to get up from 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inch.

It does occur that maybe I should go for a metal sleeved unit as presumably it would have a better chance of an interfernce fit with the P bracket and therefore less likely to wear loose.

Any suggestions and previous experiences most welcome

 

[Alec]

It seems quite odd that you would have a cutlass bearing that is not a commonly used US size. I'm wondering if someone slipped a metric size cutlass bearing in there that "almost" fits and simply tightened the two set screws in the strut (P-Bracket) to keep it from turning. Of course that wouldn't last forever and now the bearing is turning. It's probably not the case but perhaps worth investigating.
I think I would measure the shaft & strut very carefully before proceeding

 

[Alec]

As I reread your message it occurred to me that the rubber bearing may simply have separated from the brass sleeve and it is turning within the sleeve. I have replaced the cutlass bearing on my boat & the inside diameter of the bearing is indeed 1-1/8". If you scrape away the paint at the end if the strut I suspect you will see where the metal shell of the bearing is separate from the strut.

If you do a search on "changing cutlass bearings" you'll find plenty of instructions on how to do the job.

 

[jansan]

I am also rapidly coming to the conclusion that the rubber sleeve that I have in my hands must have separated from the bronze sleeve --------- and that this sleeve must still be inside the "P" bracket. This sleeve wasn`t obvious, but then again I didn`t put spectacles on ------- ( plus magnifying glass, these days ! ). Presumably the rubber was turning relative to the bronze sleeve which indicates that at some point in time something caused the two components to part company.

Next time at the boat I shall give it full attention and report back

Thanks to to those who have replied --------- it really does help to get other thoughts

 

[jansan]

Been back to the boat today --------- and sure enough I had not noticed that there was a copper/bronze sleeve still in the "P" bracket. It was a bit of a pig to remove but eventually I got it out. Can now order up a standard sized bearing, thank goodness !

Thanks Alec for the heads-up