Hi everyone. New to this site. Was going to attempt to replace cutlass bearing on my 1989 Pearson 36. Its the one with the strut on bottom of the boat. Any advice?
thanks, Marty
thanks, Marty
Replacing a cutlass bearing
- Thread starter Marty Pearson36
- Start date
Don't use a hammer on your strut. You can cause internal cracks in the fiberglass. If you are having issues getting it in, you can use some 1/2" or larger threaded rod, a few nuts, washers and a unistrut washer to make a tool to force it in. Lubricating the threads helps a lot
Hi All, I believe I also need to replace my strut bearing but am hoping someone here can help me confirm. When I took the boat out of the water in the fall, I noticed my zincs were gone and a worn copper tube appeared on the shaft. I can still see the rubber between the shaft and spindle but not copper. I attached a few photos. Can someone confirm this is my problem? Thanks!
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Based on what I think is the copper wrap around the rubber bearing…yes, I think you are over due for a new strut bearing and a zinc (anode) or 2….i keep 2 on my shaft, and usually replace 1 of the 2 each year.
An easy way to check the bearing is to try and move the prop shaft up, down and all around near the strut. If it moves around, it needs to be replaced.
The GOOD news is that you won’t struggle to get the old one out! But you need to check the shaft around the area that may be running on the strut…that could cut a groove in the shaft.
Here is a Short video of when I replaced my bearing (a d the tool I used). You can probably get yours out since it has disintegrate.
Greg
An easy way to check the bearing is to try and move the prop shaft up, down and all around near the strut. If it moves around, it needs to be replaced.
The GOOD news is that you won’t struggle to get the old one out! But you need to check the shaft around the area that may be running on the strut…that could cut a groove in the shaft.
Here is a Short video of when I replaced my bearing (a d the tool I used). You can probably get yours out since it has disintegrate.
Greg
A new cutless bearing is certainly needed and maybe a new shaft.
There appears to be a fair amount of corrosion on the shaft (image 6654).
There appears to be a fair amount of corrosion on the shaft (image 6654).
After looking into this further, I’m wondering if the copper could be part of the stern tube rather than the cutlass bearing. There is no play in cutlass bearing when trying to move the shaft up and down. I’m also not sure how the copper could come out of the bearing while the rubber is still in place and holding things tight. Has anyone seen this before? I’m hoping it is just the cutlass bearing and that someone can rule out my stern tube idea. The boat is a 1979 Pearson 32. I can’t recall if the stern tube was ever visible from the exterior. Thanks!
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Looking at the photos again, I'm wondering if the PO just pushed the old cutlass bearing forward and did not remove the shaft to get rid of it. He might have stuffed it up the shaft log to get it out of the way.
Shaft logs like the one in the photo, typically do not have anything in the log until the point it exits with a shaft seal or stuffing box. There is no need for support as the strut and stuffing box/shaft seal support the shaft.
Boats that do not have struts, like many Beneteaus, will have a cutless bearing at the end of the shaft log to support the shaft.
It may be bronze not copper, at any rate, just get some metal shears or an oscillating tool and cut it off.
Shaft logs like the one in the photo, typically do not have anything in the log until the point it exits with a shaft seal or stuffing box. There is no need for support as the strut and stuffing box/shaft seal support the shaft.
Boats that do not have struts, like many Beneteaus, will have a cutless bearing at the end of the shaft log to support the shaft.
It may be bronze not copper, at any rate, just get some metal shears or an oscillating tool and cut it off.
I doubt there were 2 cutless bearings. Aligning a strut, stuffing box or shaft seal, and the transmission is difficult enough without adding a third bearing point. On a major refit project I'm involved with a Naval Architect advised against a similar 3 point shaft support system.