cutlass bearing

[saltyrob]

Good afternoon folks,

The cutlass bearing on our boat fits into a p bracket and is secured by two allen screws.Is it neccesary to drill an indent in the cutlass bearing jacket so the end of the screws fit into it.

Many thanks

Rob

 

[Spyro]

If the outer shell is brass and it's a stainless cone point grub screw there should be no need as the screw will bite into the casing. If they are flat head grub screws then I would be tempted to drill a small dimple. in the casing.
The bearing should be a tight fit requiring a pusher to install it and generally it wont come back out on it's own. Other wise it may be a clearance fit requiring epoxy to hode it in place and if that was the case I'd be wanting a couple of grub screws as well.

 

[SHUG]

How frustrating!!
Spyro has given the complete answer. I'll have to prowl around some other posts to find something I know a bit about!!!

 

[Neil_Y]

Pretty much as Spyro said.
I'll just add our advice on grub screws and fitting.
The grub screws are added security, the bearing is either an interference fit or bedded on epoxy which holds it in place. Large thermal changes (should you sail from the tropics to Alaska) can cause bearings to loosen, and this is where a grub screw holds it in place. Just don't squeeze the bearing with the grub screw.

I would say drill through bearing (with shaft out) and then back off grub screw a few turns so it is clear of the shaft, then bed the grub screw on a low temp epoxy (araldite 2011) as well (it won't suffer the same thermal issues as it is far smaller and of similar expansion rates to the carrier)

There are now bearing grades that suit Arctic explorers who also visit the tropics, these have thermal expansion rates that are close to that of the carrier.