Cutless Bearing/bent shaft...

[Siboatguy]

So I had my Cutless Bearings done last year... When i dropped the boat in last season about mid season i must of hit something and bent a shaft.. So I just ran it with a little vibration... put about 30 hrs with a vibration. This year i pulled the shafts, and having them straighten or replaced not sure yet... And debating on doing the Cutless Bearings again.. And since the shafts are out... Can i just knock them out my self with some thread rod or a hammer or something?? I have a sea ray 320

 

[Boater420]

There's a tool specifically made for pushing them out so you don't have to hammer on the strut and risk compromising it's structural integrity. I'd either try to borrow the tool or buy one before I'd hammer on my strut.

 

[Soulshine]

I just bought that tool used from a member here a week or so ago.

Look up Strut Pro online.

This tool needs the shaft in place to work though. Since yours is already out, you can probably use a dummy shaft of similar diameter.

Don’t hit it with a hammer. They need to be pressed out and the new bearings need to be pressed in.

 

[NorCal Boater]

It's very difficult to straighten prop shafts especially if they are made of Aquamet. I have been told that even when heated and straightened some stainless shafts will just go back to the bent shape. The short shafts you have in your 320 are most likely 3/4" and not very long. I'm betting you can replace one for less than $600.

 

[MikeBravo]

Shaft is 1 1/2" wide. Mine sheared off two years ago and the repair was as follows: Remove old shaft $760, install new shaft and seal $280, new shaft $1,475, strong seal $46. Fortunately mine was covered under my insurance minus deductable , of course.

 

[Siboatguy]

If the shaft was bent do you think i have to change the cutless bearing?? I just changed them last year....

 

[Boater420]

Chances are if the bend was forcing the shaft to rub against the cutless bearing then you probably will, but you won't know for sure till it's out of the water and tested for excessive play.

 

[Woody]

If the shaft was bent do you think i have to change the cutless bearing?? I just changed them last year....

It's hard to say. Depending on how bad the bend and vibration it's possible you could have accelerated the wear. If it were me I'd wait till the new shafts were installed and then check for play/wear, change them at that point if needed.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Surprised to hear of the shaft size on your boat. My '89 340da with 7.4L only had 3/4" shafts. I stand corrected.

I would talk to a shop that does shaft straightening and see what they say. As for the cutlass bearing....why wouldn't you just replace it. You want to make sure the strut didn't get bent as well.

 

[rondds]

Shawn, you sure abt that? My '89 340DB had same engines as yours and mine were 1 1/4" shafts.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Shawn, you sure abt that? My '89 340DB had same engines as yours and mine were 1 1/4" shafts.

No....the older I get the less I remember. I have trouble remembering what kind of boat I own now....

 

[rondds]

HAHA!