p bracket and cutlass bearing question

[boo1966]

I had a problem last season when my p bracket sheared off (thanks for you help on that one) I have replaced the p bracket ,fitted a flexi coupler and changed the engine mountings. Everything is back in and lined up. My question is should i remove the cutlass bearing from the end of the stern tube because i think that may have caused the problem last year with the engine movement pivoting around this bearing and putting strain on the p bracket . Any ideas would be appreciated (to clarify there are two cutlass bearings on a four foot shaft)

Cheers

 

[swampthing]

Your P bracket was undersized or weakened by corrosion or engine mounts too soft or undersized. Cutlass would not cause this breakage

 

[alan006]

I agree I don't think your cutlass bearing would have caused your P bracket to fail. However as you have done all the other work it can't do any harm to renew the cutlass bearings. They are not very expensive.
Just in case no-ones mentioned it, I assume you have done all the realingment whilst out of the water. In which case when you put the boat back in the water recheck the alingment. I know the flexi coupler can cope with a small misalignement but the less misalignment the better.
I hope this helps.

 

[TigaWave]

Don't remove any bearings.
More bearing support = less shaft movement. Bearings are there to prevent movement not act as a pivot. If there is any problem with possible shaft movement then longer bearings or more of them are the way to go. And use new ones as once there is movement they will be worn or the shaft will be worn.