Cutlass Bearing

Please see the post RE new 7.9 masts

Moderators: Tim Bosma, Tom Elsen

Post Reply
G Rehe
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2003 7:14 pm

Cutlass Bearing

Post by G Rehe »

I am replacing the stuffing box with the PSS Shaft seal so I thought I would replace the cutlass bearing while I was at it.
I removed the two set screws from the side of the strut, some WD 40 and a torch to heat up the strut a couple of times.... proper sized pipes with a long bolt to press the old bearing out.... would not budge - I've done this with valve guides in old flat head four engines with less resistance.
I tried pressing both directions with considerabe force that should have moved it in my estimation.
Did I miss something?
If anyone has done this, I'd appreciate any tips.
Thanks
Greg Rehe
#433
rcr
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2003 8:40 pm

Bearing

Post by rcr »

Two years ago I replaced the cutlass bearing. The only way I was able to get it out of the strut was by using a local auto store's machine shop (many) ton, fixed platten hydrolic press!

Using hardwood blocks to position the strut on the press table so the bearing was reasonably vertical, then using a 3/8 drive socket whose outside diameter was just less than the id of the strut, the hydrolic press was positioned to press the socket down onto the bearing.

At the pressure went up and nothing moved, it reached a point where all of us standing around were about to run for cover, believing the whole strut-socket-bearing was about to explode sending scrapnel everywhere. But at just that point it broke free with a loud cracking sound. Everything worked out.

Possibly, one could fashion a suitable setup from a 5 ton portable automobile jack, setup horizontally between sturdy supports.

Good luck,
Chris

"About Time" in Colorado
Post Reply