Cutlass Bearing Removal

[Allan S]

I have removed my prop. I have removed my shaft. I now want to tackle the cutlass bearing.

There is no strut, (I wish), it is hull mounted.

1 1/2" OD
1 1/4" ID

I am making an insert for the engine compartment end of the bearing.

I have a suitably large enough metal tube for the outside.

What I need to know if there is any set screws, and how in the hell can I locate them? I have no desire to start removing material from my hul if it can be avoided.

[capngeo]

I've seen both set screws and no set screws. Sometimes the set screws have been corroded away on the surface and are hard to find. Try a small pencil type magnet to locate.

Get a long piece of all-thread rod, the right sized washer, piece of pipe just larger than the od of the bearing, and a helper. You can also "load" the bearing with the "puller" then tap the end of the all-thread with a hammer.... Repeat as necessary.

[sdowney717]

if you get stuck, use a sawzall to cut the inside of the bushing and collapse it inward.

[kmacdonald]

This link will show you how: Replacing A Cutlass Bearing Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

[kevins]

I did this recently.
Personally I had no luck with using a pipe and a puller system. The cutlass bearing did not move at all.

What works though is the reciprocating saw. It's really quite easy.

Get a long blade with fine teeth for metal.
Put the blade flat on the cutlass bearing and cut through the bearing. Being careful not to cut the housing.

No need to worry about the set screws.

With the bearing cut in half drive a flat screw driver up the cut area and bend the bearing in on one side until you bend it in enough to just pull it out.
Sometimes it helps to cut in on 2 sides, opposite the first cut.

then freeze the new bearing and keep it on ice and push it back in quickly before it expands.

[YankeePSC34]

On my boat I have two set screws. Location 90 and 270 deg. About 1/2" from end face of log tube. If the shaft is removed, cutting is the quickest way to go.

[Allan S]

Thanks guys, this is great stuff! I think I'll use the long fine toothed hacksaw blade by hand to start. I'm too heavy handed to use the sawsall....lol

[DefinitelyMe]

Yup, i second (or third!) the hacksaw technique.

[Allan S]

Cutlass bearing came out surprisingly easy. Made two cuts 90 degrees from each other, chiseled it open, and found the set screw was right there. removed the fiberglass from the set screw and removed the set screw and popped the bearing out. Will install the new bearing this weekend.

Didn't even need to make any special tools, jigs nor mandrels. Hope the new one is as painless.