cutless bearings

[Ardenfour]

anyone advise on the pros and cons of brass versus plastic outer shells? I've got mine apart, or, to be more specific, I have remove the piece of rubber hose which was stuck up the stern tube. Replacement is required, methinks
thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[brianhumber]

The plastic outer shell version will always be less robust when pressing into your p bracket or stern frame and ditto for when removing. Assuming you can remove the prop and there is enough clearance between end of shaft taper and leading rudder edge it is easy to press in and out by using a half shaft diameter dolly made from a length of suitable sized pipe and weld a knocking knob on it, however if the bearing is a tight fit in the housing, the plastic will still tend to break up. If this happens after you have stopped throwing the tools around in frustration you are then left with the choice of removing the shaft (normally a ball ache with chance of damaging any lip seals fitted) or do as I did once carefully melt/burn the rubber out of the bearing to allow a juinor hacksaw to cut through the plastci outer shell. Since then I have always used brass and have never taken more than 5 mins to get the old bearings off and tap the new on once the prop is off.
So I would recommend brass for this aspect alone. Full details are on the Countrose web site who make them and supply standard and undersize to order.

<hr width=100% size=1>