H33 Cutless bearing

[Mark Mowery]

The bearing on my H33 has zero clearance side to side, and about .020 - .030 (1/32) up and down. Should I worry about replacing it, or not? A recent article in Cruising World says you should replace after clearance reaches .007, and another article found on the web says not to worry until prop shaft slop reaches 3/16"!!One seems too little, the other waaaay too much. Opinions, please?

 

[Terry Arnold]

proof of the pudding

I replaced the cutlass on my H33 because it was making a thumping noise, especially in a seaway, with the noise noticably different rising and falling on a swell. Another good quick and dirty is to shake the shaft with the boat in the water. If there is a noticable thumping here along with visible movement, probably should be replaced. I'm not sure that a cutlass with its rubber insert lends itself to very accurate clearance specifications like for example tappet clearance.

 

[Kevin l. Woody]

I would repalce

Hello Mark,Our shaft bearings are produced with a clearance of apx. .010 from the box. This will allow the development of a film of water which surround’s the shaft and bushes it to the bearing. This film of water is your true bearing/lubrication. Without some clearance the rubber would not have lubrication and the bearing would fail or extreme wearing could take place on the shaft. The wear of .020-.030 sounds like its getting close to replacement. I do not at all agree with .1875” slop. That’s way to much. If it were me I would take the time now to replace it and not wait for the vibration to start. I personally replace my shaft bearing each time the boat is hauled to paint the bottom. Your whole running gear and passenger comfort is riding on a $50 part. Hope this helps. Kevin