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Cutlass bearings the hard way

Discussion in 'Props, Shafts & Seals' started by cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020.

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  1. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #21
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Yes, I'm sure they would have! I got all struts off in 6 hrs...I should have called them to get it done the few days before...I am Meathead! Lol..
    Anyway, the second 6'' bearing when in quickly, compared to the first one. Tighten and tap with the hammer, really made the difference. The tap made them move.
    Not time to freeze them, that is a good idea.
    BUT, this is the last time I will remove and put them in. I will take them to the Machine shop in CM. I know for a fact they work on all kinds of marine stuff, shafts, struts, rudders etc...
    They straightened out my Chris-Craft Dory rudder last year when a sand bar jumped out at me going 30knots.:mad: AND I was in the channel...unreported or newly unmarked shoal .
  2. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #22
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    It is the leverage at the coupling vs the weight of the shaft against it. I am concerned for you, if the shaft end (prop end) moves a couple of inches, there will be a shaft bend at the coupler.
  3. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #23
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Not only that, I used that same oil over NJ tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, S&P for dinner tonight! Sorry no basil around the house.

    I still have the mid-struts to do tomorrow, I'll pour some Tabasco sauce on those MFs!
    They are only 3'' long and should be easier , I hope.
  4. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #24
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Ah, mid struts... My concern may be for knot for now. Please ensure the shaft ends are really secured at proper height when the mid struts are removes ,, or break the coupler loose from the clutch flange..

    Don't know why we worry, we were not invited for dinner....

    Give that freezer idea a try, could be fun..
  5. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #25
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Ugh, to late.
    Ok I hope all will be ok.
    I have about 16” from the end clutch coupler to the beginning of the bronze stuffing box front end...

    I get your point now . But to late.
    I’m putting things back together tomorrow we’ll see what happens.
  6. Pascal, Aug 5, 2020
    #26
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    You got a point about most sportfish jocks being heavy handed. While docking or close quarter maneuvering sometimes you may need a few extra RPM but that s not going to hurt anything unless you are in one of those watermen docking contests :)

    bronze shafts?? Never heard of bronze being used for shafts.

    As to two pieces shaft and couplers, that was the norm 50 years ago... when I repowered my boat I went to single piece AQ22HS. It was a no brainer even at 20+ feet long

    and yes... having lost (and recovered in 24’ of water without tanks ) a 40”+ wheel when a 3 1/2” shaft snapped... I will always get shaft magnafluxed every 3 to 4 years
  7. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #27
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep, I had bronze shafts on my Chris Craft wood 28 and Pearson plastic 28 cabin cruisers when I was a kid,,,, just a few days ago... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
  8. bayoubud, Aug 6, 2020
    #28
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    They were common pre-70's. Easy to bend.
  9. Capt Ralph, Aug 6, 2020
    #29
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Easy to bend back.
  10. cleanslate, Aug 6, 2020
    #30
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    5E2FE89C-3BC7-470A-B1D8-09F0DE8A313D.jpeg So J and CR are right some of the time...o_Olol!
    The freezer trick worked very well on my last two mid strut bearings got both of them in each in under 15 minutes...
    I was able to cut down on my lubricating ingredients to!
  11. cleanslate, Aug 6, 2020
    #31
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    477232EA-B063-4B76-B832-7053A9A89BB2.jpeg FYI for you all to what’s going on.
  12. Oscarvan, Aug 6, 2020
    #32
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    . .

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  13. RER, Aug 6, 2020
    #33
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Drop ‘em. Still not too late to go the correct route.
  14. MBevins, Aug 6, 2020
    #34
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Yup !!
  15. Ken Bracewell, Aug 6, 2020
    #35
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Aren't you skipping a set of bearings? In the stern tube?
  16. Capt Ralph, Aug 6, 2020
    #36
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Don't think he has a bearing in the log. Hope not.
  17. Capt Ralph, Aug 6, 2020
    #37
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I had to keep a copy of this.
  18. RER, Aug 6, 2020
    #38
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Most small boats only have a stuffing box at the tube :) ...which is why I don't want to watch when he starts trying to wrestle those four struts with new cutlass bearings back into place on those free floating shafts.
  19. DOCKMASTER, Aug 6, 2020
    #39
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Are you planning to check the alignment? Rough it in while still on the blocks then final check and adjust after being in the water minimum 24 hrs. ?
  20. cleanslate, Aug 6, 2020
    #40
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Yep no bearing in the shaft logs ; thank f&$@“?& !

    A little water down Dawn dish detergent and a clean shaft and all the struts went right back on I blocked up the shaft so they didn’t move.
    just had to twist and turn and pull with firm effort. Each pull I got 10” or so.
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