[weephee]

My boat is on the hard and I want to replace the cutlass bearing. Engine has been removed for replacement and the drive shaft is out. The bearing is encased in stern tube in the hull. I scraped the hull paint down to the gel coat on either side of the bearing looking for set screws and none have been found. The last time I did this on another boat of the same kind, I put a nut on the end of a threaded rod and slid it down the stern tube until the nut was against the inside of the bearing and the threaded rod was extending out the other end toward the rudder. I then slipped a steel cup and nut on the outer end, tightened the nut until the cutlass bearing was drawn out. Worked slick but this time it won't budge. A friend suggested I cut the bearing out with a hack saw but i'm reluctant to do that in case I cut into the bronze stern tube. Question is would there be any problem in putting a nut maybe a foot into the threaded rod and sliding the rod down the tube and through the bearing and then using a large hammer maybe a sledge hammer and try knocking it out from inside the boat.

 

[TQA]

Large hammer? Sledge hammer? Nooooooooooo

Unless it is a steel / ali boat.

Saw every time. Some minor scoring as you break through is neither here nor there.

 

[aloof]

I tried hammering one out of a FRP hull. The shaft log (tube) came out instead. It was a little worrisome, but the cutlass bearing could then be easily pressed out in a shop. Also reamed out the tube for a tiny bit more clearance. And cleaned up the setscrews that fix the bearing. The log slipped back in easily, with 5200 to secure it. Worked out just fine. Your results may vary...

 

[Siamese]

Just do what MaineSail says:
marinehowto.com

Don't be hammerin' on it.

 

[Minnewaska]

You could also get a Strut-Pro, but I think they're expensive. If the yard has a hydraulic press, it would be worth paying them the hour to extract it.

 

[eherlihy]

Don't hammer it out. Use a hacksaw or a sawzall to slit the bronze sleeve that comprises the outer surface of the bearing. Then use your press again.

There are probably set screws in there somewhere (covered by layers of paint). A couple of years ago another SailNetter in the same situation swore that there were no set screws holding the bearing in place, despite repeated suggestions that he look more closely. Then he found them...

 

[Siamese]

You could also get a Strut-Pro, but I think they're expensive. If the yard has a hydraulic press, it would be worth paying them the hour to extract it.

And make sure they don't hammer on it.

 

[CalebD]

You could also get a Strut-Pro, but I think they're expensive. If the yard has a hydraulic press, it would be worth paying them the hour to extract it.

He doesn't have a strut Minne. Sheesh. Reading comprehension.

Please don't waste your time trying to press it out; or do if you have lots of time on your hands.
Single or double cuts through the metal casing of your cutless bearing will allow you to peel it out of there.
You will have to press fit your new bearing in there which will take enough time. Make sure to clean the stern tube well before you press in the new one.

 

[Minnewaska]

He doesn't have a strut Minne. Sheesh. Reading comprehension.......

Right. I misread it.

Am I reading you right?

 

[mbowser]

I'd vote hacksaw blade. I've done it many times with good results. If your worried about the bronze log, just make sure you go slow and you won't have any problems.