Holes in P Brackets

[Will A]

I have a friend with an older planing powerboat. The P Brackets on one side have two screws that look like locating grub screws for the cutlass bearings. On the other bracket there are just two holes... assume the screws are missing.
He recently launched the boat after antifouling it and one side made a loud screeching noise. He thought this was because he painted over the holes and thought they were to lubricate the bearing. This is clearly not the case...but can anyone suggest why the bearings would suddenly start making a noise?

 

[Restoration man]

The screw holes will be for grub screws that stop the cutless bearing falling out , the screw threads often get damaged and it’s not uncommon to drill some more holes and fit some extra grub screws , I suggest having a scrape and seeing if there are any more grub screws that have been hidden with years of antifoul paint , We had one that the cutless came loose and slid up the shaft somehow it , made right racket when put it into gear , easy fix though

 

[LadyInBed]

can anyone suggest why the bearings would suddenly start making a noise?

Lack of lubrication - that's water for the cutless bearing.
Maybe AF has clogged up the ends.

 

[MoodySabre]

If the cutless bearing has a bronze/brass shell then maybe the loss of the grub screws is allowing the bearing to rotate and the screech is metal on metal.

 

[Graham376]

Had he serviced a rope cutter and mounted it too far forward in the V block?

 

[Will A]

No rope cutters or anything. I suspect the propspeed applied the shafts might have blocked water getting in to lubricate. The question really is whether the bearings will meed to be replaced. The boat was ony operated for about 10-15 mins, but at 15 knots with the screechy shafts

 

[Tranona]

Pretty sure you will find the cutless is turning in the P bracket if the grub screws are not locked in. Most are brass shelled and a push fit into the P bracket, hence the noise when they spin!