SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Shaft 'bushing' worn out (Alden 44)

2202 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by CalebD, Jan 19, 2009

Alden44GER

Discussion Starter · Jan 17, 2009

Hi

I've got a problem with the shaft 'bushing' (correct term?) in the middle section of my Alden 44 prop shaft.
To prevent the long shaft from swinging the shaft sits in a kind of greased shaft bushing made by Dogde. The upper half of this 30 year old thing is detachable and has got a grease cup on top of it. The inner bush of these two half shells are made of a soft metal (similar to lead). Unfortunately, the upper shell is worn out and the whole thing needs to be replaced. I really tried hard but I couldn't find such a (simple and nearly perfect) thing on the Internet (probably since English isn't my mother tongue and I don't even know the name for it).
Does anyone know what I am talking about? If yes, does anyone know where I can get hold of such a thing?
The shaft started to make a noise at the end of our summer crossing. I avoided higher RPM when the noise got unpleasant. Eventually, I had to stop using the prop. I removed the top half and cut two narrow channels it the soft material, put two matching pieces of flax packing in the grooves and by means of pressing grease into the hollow space between the shaft and the bushing it went as smoothly as new. Anyways, I think I’d rather have a new whatever-it-is-called-thing.

Thanks,
Luis

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

merc2dogs

· #2 · Jan 17, 2009

It's normally called a carrier bearing over here,

most likely the soft metal is babbit.

depends a lot on how the thing is built, if there are two thin steel backed shells, (half circle shaped) with the babbit inside, you may be able to locate an automotive counterpart.

If the babbit is a very thick chunk of with a simple cage of some other metal to mount it, you can cast in new babbit. It melts easily low temp on a simple gas burner,(kitchen or camp stove give plenty of heat)
It's easy to do, but wouldn't recommend something critical as a first project.

Ken.

Save

Alden44GER

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 17, 2009

Thanks for the information, Ken.

Save

Leither

· #4 · Jan 17, 2009

A similar alloy to Babbit metal is known as white metal in the UK and used for the same purpose. The term "white metal" actually covers a range of alloys, but if you are using the term in the context of bearings, then people will know what you are talking about.

Good luck

Stuart

Save

Alden44GER

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 19, 2009

Leither said:
A similar alloy to Babbit metal is known as white metal in the UK and used for the same purpose. The term "white metal" actually covers a range of alloys, but if you are using the term in the context of bearings, then people will know what you are talking about.

Good luck

Stuart

____________________

Hi Stuart,
Thanks for the information.

Luis

Save

rayncyn51

· #6 · Jan 19, 2009

Most shops that restore or repair antique gasolinge engines can reproduce babbit bearings from the old one.

Save

funsailthekeys

· #7 · Jan 19, 2009

Yea, what they said.

Save

CalebD

· #8 · Jan 19, 2009

It is not a Cutlass Bearing?

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month