Cutless bearing replacement

[CYQK]

Hello
Replaced the 30mm cutless bearing on my boat
Came off and went on for the most part as advertised

Tried to slide the prop shaft though and it is very tight almost an interference fit
Is that normal on a new one? Never had the chance yet to experience a new one!!

Should i put it all the way in the bearing and let it make its own fit or should i work the rubber inside to increase the I.D. so the prop shaft fits better
If I need to increase the ID what is the best way to do that
Thanks
Gary

 

[Ted]

What you describe is not normal. The prop shaft should fit reasonably snugly within the cutless bearing, but should be able to turn freely with very little effort. Most cutless bearings are held in place with set screws in the strut. If the set screws are too tight, they will deform the bearing slightly and will prevent the prop shaft from going into the cutless bearing or prevent the shaft from turning easily. Loosen the set screws completely and try fitting the shaft again. Another potential problem is that your engine alignment is off somewhat preventing the shaft from being parallel to the bearing centerline axis. Over time, the bearing will wear away to compensate for the misalignment but when you install a new bearing, the shaft will be difficult to fit and turn. Have you tried to fit the shaft through the bearing without having it installed in the strut? If it fits before assembly, you know it's not the fault of the bearing. Another possible cause is that the boat is bending slightly. I'm making the assumption that the boat is out of the water. If the boat is not properly supported, that can cause some misalignment issues.

 

[CYQK]

Shaft is not connected it just the bearing causing the tight fit
would lapping compound work?

 

[MSter]

Any chance you have metric dimension shaft ? There's really no reason for it to not fit right if it' the right size.
Mike

 

[Ted]

Something isn't right here. I wouldn't lap the bearing. Accurately mic the shaft and contact the manufacturer. Let them know you are having a problem and ask for another bearing as the one you have may be defective. You might want to try another bearing manufacturer if that doesn't work.

 

[Gunni]

On a beneteau you leave the shaft in place. Pull and replace the cutlass bearing over the shaft.

 

[CYQK]

Ok
have the engine and tranney out
shaft is 30mm bearing is labeled30mm bought this bronze bearing in Baltimore at the same place the navy buys theirs
Don't think it will take much finishing to make it fit better
just wanting to know how best to do this

 

[CYQK]

Well
Took a piece of 180 grain sandpaper wrapped it around the 1 inch threaded rod I used to pull the bearing on and carefully dressed the rubber inside
Didn't take much to get it to fit proper All good