Stuffing Box, Stern Tube bearing?

[Manny]

Hi again!I was down working on the old girl today and was about to install a new shaft log hose (or stuffing box hose - whatever it's called) when I realized the shaft was just flopping around where it enters the hull. Isn't there supposed to be a bearing there?I examined the fixture and I can't find any evidence of a bearing ever having been in there. Is this common?There is a strut which has a cutlass bearing near the end of the shaft close to the prop. Is it safe to assume the stuffing box is the other "bearing"?Seems like proper engine shaft alignment would be difficult at best with this setup...Thanks,Manny

 

[Scott21120]

I just pulled my shaft/strut/stuffing box

and I found just what you did. I believe that's all there is too it - cutless bearing in the strut, stuffing box, and flange to transmission. I discovered my shaft was very slightly bent as well, and am having a new stainless shaft made.

 

[Alex]

Shaft log

Manny,There are two points of support to the shaft. The outboard support is the cutless bearing in the strut the inboard bearing is the engine. The stuffing box is there to keep the water out. Make sure you align the motor vertically (adjust the motor mount height) and horizontally (adjust the motor mount orientation to the bed). Put a piece of paper between the flanges and press them together. If you see a ring, great. Feeler gauge is better tool. I've changed the stuffing box to a PSS dripless shaft seal.