First Time

[Golden Echo]

Need some guidance/help.
When we bought our boat in 2008 we had the cutlass bearing replaced along with the PSS shaft seal. So it's time to replace the bellows on the PSS.

I had our marina pull the prop and trans hub because my wife couldn't get it off. Did I mention that I injured myself in a motorcycle accident and can't climb the ladder. So after the marina did thier work my wife disassemble the rest of it. It was suggested that I replace the cutlass bearing since it's all apart anyway so I cut the old one out and readied the stern tube for the new one. The prop shaft is 1 1/8 inches. The old cutlass bearing was 6 years old also but was still tight on the shaft. The new one however is not snug on the shaft.

My question is: Does the rubber swell when submerged in water?

I checked the shaft and it's 1 1/8 in. I checked the inside diameter of the new bearing and it's correct. So what could be happening here?

Any advice/instructions/references would be great.

Some background info. Our boat is steel, the cutlass bearing is a composite material. The shaft is Stainless. Thanks for the collective wisdom.

[Vasco]

Is the shaft worn?

[Golden Echo]

The area where the old cutlass bearing was is worn yes. But when I move the new bearing around areas on the shaft where there is no wear it's still loose?

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[Old Snipe]

The marina gave you bad advice. If the old cutlass was still fairly snug, and the fluting material wasn't (cracked & missing chunks, or uneven wear) ......then leave it alone.

I know that they are fairly cheap to buy, but why replace a component that doesn't need it.

Unless your shaft is (worn or scored) the new bearing should be ok unless you are not measuring both diameters correctly.

Hard to say without being there to see it pards.

[NoTies]

The ID of the bearing will shrink a little when it is pressed into the tube/strut.