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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
    #1
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I don’t need a stinking gym membership I’ve got a boat to keep me in shape!!

    today’s job is to install for Cutlass bearings , I removed all four struts from the boat and removed the old bearings yesterday the hard way with a saws all hammer and small chisel.

    no damage was done to any of the struts. BTW.

    941BD85F-E70D-45F1-A269-2B5F67761788.jpeg
  2. DOCKMASTER, Aug 5, 2020
    #2
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I'm confused, did you remove the struts just to do the bearings? Based on the way you are doing it in the picture why did you need to remove the struts? And, since you have already removed the struts, why not just press the old bearings out and new ones in with a proper press? Any machine shop can do this easily now that struts are off. Or you could even buy a press at Harbor Freight for less than $100 to do it.
  3. RER, Aug 5, 2020
    #3
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Good question why were the struts removed?
  4. Oscarvan, Aug 5, 2020
    #4
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Well the title says it.... "The hard way"......:D

    Just messing. I'm sure there was a valid reason to do it this way.
  5. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #5
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    They were easy to get to plus they had old silicon bronze bolts that were looking spooky so I dropped off four and left the Shaftsin the boat instead of pulling them out of the transmissions coupler andShaft logs.
  6. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Gently but correctly keeping the shafts secured in their exact position while doing all of this, I do hope so much.
  7. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #7
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Your just a few minutes away from removing your shafts for inspection, flux and re-tuning the coupler to shaft .
    You may never get this cheap of a chance to ever do this again.

    Maybe reseal the clutch out shaft and inspect the thrust bearing (pending clutch model).

    Maybe re-load the shaft gland or update it.

    I'm on a roll spending your money but it will never be cheaper than now.
  8. Capt J, Aug 5, 2020
    #8
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Pull and Inspect the shafts. Put the Cutlass bearings in the freezer for a while.....then install.......
  9. RER, Aug 5, 2020
    #9
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Oh well different strokes, I guess. I'm betting it would be easier to put it back together doing it the correct way dropping the shafts, rather than the hassle that probably awaits you going this route.
  10. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #10
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I get all of your points but the shafts look OK, I only have 471 Detroit diesels in the boat and I’m gentle on the throttle.
    1.5” shafts
    We’ll see how they go back on I plan to use lots of dish soap I did Sandown the shafts nice and clean.
    i’m a bit of a hard head and was determined to do it on my own I kind of forgot about the good machine shop that’s right in Cape May that already did work for me on my little boat.
    I am a bit of a meathead at times as if you guys already didn’tknow that!o_O
  11. Capt J, Aug 5, 2020
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    How much is your time worth? LOLOLOL. I bet that machine shop would've pressed out the old cutlass bearings and new ones in pretty fast and cheap if you brought them the struts.
  12. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #12
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Got one done ! Lol
    A little wrap on the side to her three times with a hammer really made a thing jump in an 8th to a 3/16 of an inch every time. Otherwise it would not budge.

    1.5” shaft bearings
    Tools used
    3/4 all thread
    3/4” washers
    1” floor flange
    Soap
    PB Blaster
    Olive oil...

    used olive oil on the all thread and the washers to help the nut turn.

    it was real important when things started to get tight to give the strata wrap with the hammer and you could see it jump in when you did that in my case.

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 5, 2020
  13. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #13
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Ahh, Some time during your days, you have to do it your self. Gives the correct prospective of Next Time.
    While lots of us are still restricted or locked up, it's good for some sweat and blood to take the hard way on our own boat.
    Just don't bend those shafts at the couplers or all for not.
  14. Oscarvan, Aug 5, 2020
    #14
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Did you catch the "put them in the freezer part"?

    Add a little basil to the olive oil. OK, that was a funny.:D
  15. Capt Ralph, Aug 5, 2020
    #15
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The brass sleeves will contract nicely in a freezer after several hours. In the old days, You would put the bearings in a bucket and dump a hand held CO2 fire extinguisher in it. With better gloves, slide (maybe tap) them into the strut.
    Boat yards now days do have an ice sales freezer or fridge in the break room saving the CO2 for intended uses.
    I still have fun with CO2 when the bottles are due for hydro and service.

    Now, Basil, olive oil, some flat bread and wine will make peace in any boat yard.
  16. Capt J, Aug 5, 2020
    #16
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    He didn't. He likes doing "cutlass bearings the hard way" rather than freezing them for several hours so they contract.
  17. DOCKMASTER, Aug 5, 2020
    #17
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    "The shafts look OK"

    Words many of us have regretted. I hope you do not regret those words. Shafts do not improve with age.
  18. bayoubud, Aug 5, 2020
    #18
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Who needs a gym, just buy a boat! I'll vouch for the hard way, we did that all thread method about a half-century ago, it ain't always easy even when you freeze 'em. Hey, keep those projects coming.
  19. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #19
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    CR I'm gonna need a bigger boat! I have one piece shafts, no short shaft/coupler to deal with or worry about.
  20. cleanslate, Aug 5, 2020
    #20
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Well I hope not. I'll replace them when they break...I've never broken a shaft on my boats, or of my Dad's boats...I truly believe it's all in how you run your boat and the throttles.
    My 42' 1962 Matthews( sold it 2013) had the original bronze shafts in her, and they were put under a lifetime of load by strong old GM 6V53s which moved the boat at 22knots to the pins. Plenty of power in those to break shafts.

    Sportfish boats and their Captains will break them from backing down hard, goosing it forward hard, heck in the fish battle perhaps not waiting for the clutch to react in time from forward to reverse. SLAM...snap. Same goes with docking the boat, 8 times out of 10 you never need to touch the throttle with a twin screw vessel, just the idle RPM is enough. I dock my boat in many situations , including in moving current with no throttle . It adds up to less strain on the shafts over time.
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