Cutlass Bearing Replacement

[markc]

Hi

I had a survey on the boat on Monday and on the whole there were not many problems, but the surveyor noted that there was play in the cutlass bearings. So, a few questions...

On the sea trial there was no noticeable vibrations across the rev range - can I assume that they are not critical and can be left until the end of the season?

When they are done, can they be replaced without pulling the shafts by someone who knows what they are doing and with the right kit (not me!)?

Any idea on ballpark cost?

[/URL]

 

[baylabayla3288]

Nice Ferretti, which model is this? Shafts have to be pulled to replace the cutlass bearings I'm afraid. This should however not be a big deal. If you have the remote V drive setup where the transmissions are bolted firmly to the frame there are no other shaft bearings. On my previous boat the propshafts became very stiff to turn when worn and after letting them dry on the hard. If a sideways play can be felt it is probably time to replace them.

 

[superchip]

the shafts don't need to be removed to replace cutlass bearings,the bearings can be replaced by removing the propeller and the bearing can then be pulled out the front of the p bracket using a tool called a strut pro

 

[Mr Googler]

Strut pro is a few hundred quid or you could make your own if your that way inclined

http://www.pbo.co.uk/practical-projects/diy-cutless-bearing-extractor-26496

 

[baylabayla3288]

Wow! I did not know this was possible, very interesting.
Still I wonder if this is easyer than removing the shafts first. On most boats the rudders are off center so they can be left in place. The bearing can sit quite tight and in my case they had to be splitted by sawing from inside. On the otherhand also the shaft coupling clamp be very difficult to remove.

 

[Bandit]

There are normally two cutless bearings on each shaft, one at the sterntube where the shaft comes out of the hull and one in the "P" Bracket.

The cutless bearings in the "P" brackets can be changed with the shaft in place using a puller such as Strut Pro.

If the cutless bearings in the stern tube need to be changed you will need to remove the shafts.

 

[wizzer]

Good luck with this. I replaced all 4 cutlass bearings recently on my Seaward 25, shafts out, easy to remove the stern tube ones, the P bracket ones were another story, blood, sweat & (almost) tears. Made up my own puller with a section of 12mm threaded rod & bushes made on my lathe. No way would I have done this without pulling the shafts.

 

[omega2]

Take a firm grip on the props and then see if there is up/down/ side to side movement, if you can hear it then they need doing if you can "feel" movement then no need.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?251684-Cutlass-bearing-play

lots of opinions on here, do not take a surveyors word for it, he may be "looking" for work for a mate of his.

 

[markc]

Take a firm grip on the props and then see if there is up/down/ side to side movement, if you can hear it then they need doing if you can "feel" movement then no need.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?251684-Cutlass-bearing-play

Interesting thread, thanks. I never knew Cutless was a brand name...I've been so wrong for so many years!

It was hard to see how much play as the surveyor was using a pretty long lever and the boat was in the slings so also moved.

 

[omega2]

Interesting thread, thanks. I never knew Cutless was a brand name...I've been so wrong for so many years!

It was hard to see how much play as the surveyor was using a pretty long lever and the boat was in the slings so also moved.

I would not be impressed with his method, do it yourself. BY HAND!!!