Cutlass bearing replacement advice

[dustywings]

I need to replace one of my cutlass bearings and was hoping to use one of those pullers that allows it to be done without removing the shaft but when I look at the P bracket it is designed, I assume for streamlining, with an enclosed design on the forward facing end as you can see in the photo:



I thought I would ask the forum if anyone has found a way around this with this type of P bracket, even by removing the shaft if I need to use a hack saw and cut down the length of the cutlass bearing the enclosed part of the P bracket will be in the way... do I cut through that too?!

 

[Neil_Y]

Is it a rubber bearing or composite, if it's rubber is it in a metal or composite sleeve? Composites will crack away from the P bracket with a sharp chisel especially if epoxied in. It does look like you'd have to remove the shaft though. With a rubber bearing in metal it will almost certainly be a hacksaw cut and fold it in on itself, you might get away with curling one end in and being able to grab the metal with grips but I'd talk to an engineer who can have a look at it if you're not sure. Personally I wouldn't have a problem cutting a blade width slot in the tapered part of the P bracket if it was my boat.

 

[dustywings]

It is indeed rubber with a metal casing, I thought that I might have to do it the hard way! Many thanks for your advice.