high cutlass bearing wear

[DinghyMan]

1 1/4" is a unique size, that is there is no close metric equivalent unlike for example 1"/25mm or 1 3/8" 35mm so the chances of it being "too big" are not high. the bearing material does not normally make any difference to clearance or to bearing life.

A 32mm I/D 45mm O/D could have been fitted instead of a 1 1/4" I/D 1 3/4", but would have been OK

Only "too big" option I can see from our sizes list could be 35mm I/D 50mm O/D instead of a 1 1/4" I/D 2" but that should have been obviously wrong to the person fitting it

 

[Rappey]

when the new bearing was fitted by an engineer down in Devon there was still a small amount of movement in the shaft.

Ive put in a few and have also noticed a small amount of movement. Cant see it but can feel it when wobbling the shaft.
My own boat with a quite short shaft in a long keel also maybe once or twice a year may exhibit this loud vibration type noise from i assume the cutlass bearing.
Ive had the boat over 30 years and decided im not sure what it actually is or whats causing it. 3 different bearings over the years and have all done it.
Rev it more stops it, or neutral and back in gear.
Ive wondered if something has happened to the cutlas bearing/shaft faces after the boat has been moored a while and it become grippy momentarily ?
My other thought is that its worn causing the vibration, maybe because it didnt seem that snug a fit when the bearing was new ?
When a new one is fitted the shaft spins as expected and easily spins when powerwashing the hull.