Replacing my cutlass bearing

[Jim Felix]

I need to replace the cutlass bearing on my '83 c-30 before spring launch. Where is the best place to get the bearing and can I install it myself?? I'm fairly mechanical but would like some tips. Can you help with info.??Thanks,Jim

 

[Chuck Fort]

Try this link

Try this link for instructions. Let me know how it works. i have to do the same this winter.Fawcetts in Annapolis carries the bearings. They have a web site.

 

[Kevin]

Don't pound it out!

Hello Jim,The replacement of the bearing is not to difficult mentally. It can however be challenging mechanically. If you do not have a device to remove the cutlass while the shaft is installed, www.strutpro.com is such a device, then the shaft will need to be removed from the coupling and removed from the boat. This is a great time to have the shaft trued and it “fit and faced” to the coupling. Something most propeller or shafting shops could do for you. Now you need to remove the cutlass from the strut. DO NOT POUND IT OUT. This is the most common mistake made. This will cause the strut to loosen itself from the bedding, which secures it to the hull now. Big mess when this happens. The cutlass is most likely held in place by a blind interference fit in the strut. The cutlass will also be secured by two setscrews entering the sidewall of the strut and making contact to the cutlass bearings casing. I have removed my cutlass bearing by placing the blade of a hacksaw though the bearing, reconnecting it back up to the handle and making a fore and aft cut though the worn rubber and brass casing of the bearing itself. If this does not relieve the blind fit pressure to allow the bearing to be removed, then attempt to roll the bearing into itself at the cut line. This will reduce the bearings contact allowing it to be slipped out. This will also expose the setscrew locations, so that they can be removed or loosened, if they were not visible from the painted exterior of the strut. In order to get the correct new bearing, you will need to know the shaft diameter and the ID of the strut housing. (example 1” shaft and the ID of the strut apx. 1 ¾”, or a bearing of 1 x 1 ¾.) To install the new bearing, slightly lubricate its exterior housing and tap it into the strut. Reset your setscrews and you should be ready to reinstall the shaft. Since the coupling and shaft were removed, you will need to do a dry alignment and a wet alignment after the vessel is back in the water. There are a ton of online providers of the bearings. The yard that you are pulling your boat at most likely has access to them locally as well. Hope this all helps. Kevin

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Fairly easy job if you have the tools

And someone actually designed a tool that he posted here. Do check the archives from last spring/early summer and it should be there. If you can't find it, let me know and I can probably email it to you as I saved it. I made the tool and it's great. My only suggestion would be to make the back plate thicker. You will also need a puller to remove the prop. Step by step goes like this:1) Remove prop (Do not bang on it as you may cause damage to the tranny)2) Loosen set screws from side of strut3) Install tool to push cutlass bearing out4) Install new bearing5) Tighten set screws6) Re-install prop using a new SS cutter pin.You should find a cutlass bearing at a local prop shop or at West Marine or BoatUS.

 

[Bill Clague]

Cutlass Bearing Change

I am in the process of having the bearing changed on my C34. I have hired mechanics to pull the shaft and switch the bearing, but have tried to do some of the prep work myself to save a few bucks.Here's the problem: On the C34 (don't know about the C30) the only way to pull the shaft is to drop the rudder or move the engine. The rudder system has a number of places, most importantly on the steering quadrant, where stainless steel bolts were fastened to aluminum, which has resulted in corrossion and caused two bolts to freeze. My mechanics tell me this is a common problem in Catalinas. On a recent cutlass bearing change for another boat, they eventually had to cut through the quadrant with a torch in order to remove the rudder.I hope you get some responses from people who have been through the process on a C30. I would be careful to make sure that you can get everything moved out of the way to do the job. You may also need a special tool to pull out the shaft from the transmission, since they also have a tendency to freeze up. Good luck.