Cutless Bearing

[Drew]

I am replacing my cutless bearing this spring. I was wondering will I have to take off the rudder to accomplish this task and any advise before attempting this task would be appreciated.

 

[Rhet Tignor]

No I didn't remove the rudder.

I didn't take my rudder off when I did it two years ago. I did remove the prop. I ended up cutting the shaft because I couldn't get it free from the coupling. I would advise a program of WWD-40 every day for the next month or so.By the way to prress in the new bearing I bought a large bolt and some washers. It worked fine to press in the new bearing.

 

[Brian Ranniger]

What year?

I replaced mine on a '76 about 2-weeks ago. Ditto what the other guy said. The shaft had to be cut and the remainder pressed out with a hydraulic press. Also, I did not have to pull the rudder. Some 30's require you to do pull it though. My neighbor had to on his newer model which had a more vertical rudder. The cutless bearing was a b..ch until I tried the all-thread and washer method. Good thing a new shaft, 46.5", was only $130.

 

[Don]

You don't even need to remove the shaft...

The yard I use has a hydraulic gizzmo that will push the bearing out without removing the shaft. Naturally, they can press the new one in. Cost me $75 and was well worth it to me. I have a c27 that does require removing the rudder to get the prop shaft out, so it saved me bunches of labor. Don

 

[Brian Ranniger]

If you have a yard, Don!

We don't have a "yard" up here in SLC. We are our own boat yard for our own boat. Sometimes we get help from other "yards". Having the ability to remove it by only taking off the prop would definately be nice.

 

[AMcF]

Cutless bearing advice

I too had to have the shaft cut but did not need to have the rudder removed (1988 C-30). The set screws in the coupling were rusted tight. I agree with advice to soak them in WD-40 as far in advance as you can. The shaft was $160 and coupling was $70 but the labor was $400.