hi all.....i need to install a new cutless bearing on my 78 27ft cherubini.i noticed on a post a while back that someone made a removal tool with hardware parts from home depot and did it without shaft removal.at the moment the prop is off.can someone tell me where i can go to find this thread?and also does anyone know the outside dia of the bearing for this model boat?the shaft size is 1 inch and the bearing lenght is 3 inches.thanks so much in advance.......michel
cutless removal
- Thread starter cherub78
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Cutless bearings ins and outs
You'll have to match up the cutless bearing to the ID of your shaft strut. While many people here have H27s and many of them will be similar to yours, there's no guarantee someone else's will be identical to yours. The OD of cutless bearings goes up in 1/16" increments at some ranges.
Know that cutless bearings are named for fish-- they don't usually have part numbers unless some distributor applies numbers later. These fish names are an industry-wide standard; so you won't appear weird if you go in and say you need a Barracuda or a Blackfin, etc.
I have successfully removed cutless bearings with a hammer, cutting chisel and narrow-nosed pliers, sometimes with application from a heatgun or torch. That's about it-- there is no planning on saving one because they're not expensive enough to prohibit replacement and shaft/strut/bearing-removal jobs are too infrequent to make saving one any kind of priority.
It does, however, usually help to throughly apply lubricant when installing the new one... just in case.
* * *
You'll have to match up the cutless bearing to the ID of your shaft strut. While many people here have H27s and many of them will be similar to yours, there's no guarantee someone else's will be identical to yours. The OD of cutless bearings goes up in 1/16" increments at some ranges.
Know that cutless bearings are named for fish-- they don't usually have part numbers unless some distributor applies numbers later. These fish names are an industry-wide standard; so you won't appear weird if you go in and say you need a Barracuda or a Blackfin, etc.
I have successfully removed cutless bearings with a hammer, cutting chisel and narrow-nosed pliers, sometimes with application from a heatgun or torch. That's about it-- there is no planning on saving one because they're not expensive enough to prohibit replacement and shaft/strut/bearing-removal jobs are too infrequent to make saving one any kind of priority.
It does, however, usually help to throughly apply lubricant when installing the new one... just in case.
* * *
Here is a link. If you need more info - PM me I have other images that I can emil you of an other equipment that some one made.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass
JoeWhite-- that was SUPER helpful. I haven't tried that method before but definitely shall in future. Thanks a whole lot! 
That was my posting. Yes you can replace a cutless bearing without removing the shaft, just remove the prop will do.
The "professional" tool push the bearing out "hoping to reuse". My tool pushes the bearing in to be slit open and discarded.
If I took the trouble to remove the bearing, I want to replace it any way.
It was based on a black iron pressure pipe, screw rod and flanges available at home depot or any HW store. It should be here in the archive.
BTW there is always more than 1 way to skin a cat. No right or wrong way.
You can try the Maine Sail posted procedure. But you have to remove the shaft first.
PM me for instfuction if yoy like.
The "professional" tool push the bearing out "hoping to reuse". My tool pushes the bearing in to be slit open and discarded.
If I took the trouble to remove the bearing, I want to replace it any way.
It was based on a black iron pressure pipe, screw rod and flanges available at home depot or any HW store. It should be here in the archive.
BTW there is always more than 1 way to skin a cat. No right or wrong way.
You can try the Maine Sail posted procedure. But you have to remove the shaft first.
PM me for instfuction if yoy like.
Shaft in replacement is not really a Home Depot DIY deal. Made mine but have machine tools.
See http://www.strutpro.com/ and you will understand. This is a common tool in just about any yard so consider borrow/rent approach.
Charles
See http://www.strutpro.com/ and you will understand. This is a common tool in just about any yard so consider borrow/rent approach.
Charles
Whatever you do, don't create a massive headache by pounding on things or doing anything else that torques or twists the strut (Google "self harming"). If you loosen that in the hull or bend it you will hate yourself, and rightly so. Leave you hammer in the tool box.
Note that the right tools and methods as depicted in the above link, all place the forces directly between the bearing and the strut itself.
Note that the right tools and methods as depicted in the above link, all place the forces directly between the bearing and the strut itself.
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