Cutlass Bearing difficulty

[sailak]

Learning sucks sometimes.

I have managed to get my new cutlass bearing stuck 1/2 way into the stern tube.

Cutlass is brass, stern tube is brass or bronze. I did freeze the cutlass, but only for about an hour. It started easily, was tapping it in with a small plastic hammer, got about 1/3 the way and it became stiffer. Used wood block and 2 pound hammer where it is now. Got a couple pieces of all-thread and tried that, wasn't able to move it any further.

I realize this needs to be a snug press fit, but just how snug should it be? I'm reasonably sure I have the correct size cutlass.

For now planning to get another cutlass, cut the stuck one out, freeze the new one at least overnight, lube the tube with soap, use the all-thread to pull it in.

Any other thoughts? Suggestions? (I turned down the suggestion I got "if it was mine I'd get a bigger hammer, drive it in as far as I could and cut off the part mangled by the hammer". )

Thanks in advance.

[deniseO30]

most people use a large all thread.( I know this because when I was helping friends do their's they sent me out for 3/4" all thread) with really big washers to pull/push it in. they do fit tight! Hammering will roll the edges badly.

Did you remove the set screws if yours had them?

[sailak]

No set screws. I used a block of wood when hitting with the hammer to protect the bearing.

[mitchbrown]

At this point if you haven't damaged the bearing you coulld try to apply heat to the strut with a acetelene torch and use a spray bottle of cold water to try to keep the bearing cool spraying it inside the bearing.

Mitch

[sailak]

There is no strut:

[tommays]

That thing the bearing is in by the prop is the strut

[sailak]

Originally Posted by tommays

That thing the bearing is in by the prop is the strut

OK. My thoughts was a strut was like this...didn't realize the way my boat is would be called a strut as well.

[JimsCAL]

Trying to hammer it in was your mistake. Use a treaded rod to gently pull it in to place. I've done it several times that way without even freezing the bearing on a strut without set screws. The bearings aren't expensive, so I would cut the current one out and start over. NO HAMMERS THIS TIME!!

[Faster]

Originally Posted by tommays

That thing the bearing is in by the prop is the strut

The first picture (of Sailak's boat) is deceptive. It looks like a strut at first glance but it's actually a hull extension. So he can't get at it from the other end very easily....

I think the press-in method would work better, it's real critical to keep the feed totally true to the bore.

How did you get the old one out?

[GaryHLucas]

Patience is the key here. I'd get a micrometer and a telescopic guage and measure both the bearing and the bore. A tiny high spot will ruin your whole day.

I was once replacing a bearing on a machine where the shft was buggered up by someone previously using a hammer. The owner of the machine watched me carefully scraping and checking the surface of the shaft, then asked my how I could have the patience to do htat, and not just get a big hammer. I told him that "Machines have a VERY long memory, and it WILL get even with you later if you mistreat it!"

Gary H. Lucas