Cutlass Bearing Replacement

AbsterMcgee · Post by **AbsterMcgee** » Tue May 31, 2011 7:20 pm

Hey All,

Just pulled the Cutlass Bearing & Strut off the boat, the old one came out pretty easy, ordered the new one, any tricks to installing?

Old Timer told me the easiest way was to put the strut in the oven @ 400F for a half hour while putting the bearing in the freezer for the same, says the bearing should slide in no problem, after installed sink it in room temp water to lock it in.

Sounds logical, anyone do this before.

Thanks, Abster

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:47 pm

That should work - especially if you have a press!

Others use ice or dry-ice:
... When you are ready, pack your new cutlass bearing in Ice water (or dry ice) then pull it in using the all-thread ...
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.c ... p?t=124206

Here's a long tutorial - but leaves out the heat/ice. I use heat/ice to help fit many things.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/sh ... p?t=107374

Warning - 400deg F MAY HARM the Cutlas bearing - try 200degF or so in my opinion!

AbsterMcgee · Post by **AbsterMcgee** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:12 am

Thanks Rossjo,

The treaded rod example looks goood as I do not have a press, the 400deg F temp is for the strut not the bearing which will probably be around 200 deg F by the time I get the bearing in and soak by blistered hands in " Burn be Gone " cream !!!!!

Thanks again
Abster

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:42 am

I made a puller and pulled it in place. Of course that was easier as I had the shafts out. I made the puller out of all rod and ground down two tractor busings from tractor supply which were 1.25 inches the same size as my cutlass bearing. pushed right out. Have them in freezer in styrofoam cups with tops at present 0 degrees. The cups will give me some time to set up the reverse process with heavy washers on the all rod to press them back in.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:06 pm

No need to heat up the strut that much IMO. That kind of heat in that much mass will not dissipate that quickly and may ruin the bearing. I've had much success with just freezing the bearing and working fast.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:38 am

I too have always just put the new bearing in the freezer and have never had a problem.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:46 am

Right - I certainly wouldn't heat the strut to 400degF (especially if its on the boat!).

High heat could actually distort the strut, or burn the bearing when you put it in. I'd use a heat gun or something and get it warm and use the ice on the bearing.

Have you mic'd the strut ID and bearing OD? Is it 0.002" interference or what? It would be interesting to mic the bearing OD at room temp and then cold and see what you have versus the strut ID ...

Anyway - good luck!

davescarrs · Post by **davescarrs** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:14 am

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass

I skipped the heat/cold method and had no problem at all using the above make shift press method as described in the aboe post.