Cutlass bearing removal

[Regal3560!]

I decided to change the cutlass bearings in my 2004 regal commodore 3560 while I had the shafts out to replace shaft seals, they have been getting the best of me, I’ve cut them with saws all, used bolts in set screw holes to try and free them up, built a press with 3/4 threaded rod and still can’t get them to move, is there anyway those might only come out one direction? I’m not sure if they ever been changed I’m a new owner and it has been in salt water the last 5 years

 

[abalmuth]

Heat?

 

[Regal3560!]

Yep I did that as well, heated it with my torches

 

[JohnC]

That is one item I haven't tackled on my own, I believe my marina has some sort of hydraulic press for removing them. When I needed them done they took care of it.

 

[alk]

I could be wrong, but I believe you only need the fancy hydraulic tools if the shaft is still in. Once the shaft is out, should not be that hard. But looks like you tried all of the tricks. How many times did you cut through it with the sawzall? If you cut it twice, tightening up bolts into the set screw threads should be more than enough to collapse it. Maybe cut it into four, and try again?

when all else fails, I generally reach for a bigger hammer, or even better, an air hammer.

 

[WALSHIE]

Make sure you get all of the set screws, not sure how many you have, I believe I only had one.
The cutlass is made of rubber and soft brass, you should be able to cut through the brass, get a screwdriver underneath and pry out.

To install, I put the bearing in the freezer overnight and brought down to the marina in a small cooler with ice, I felt like I was carrying an organ for transplant. It dropped right in and became tight as it warmed up. I did all of this with the shaft still installed.

Good lukc!

 

[Regal3560!]

I could be wrong, but I believe you only need the fancy hydraulic tools if the shaft is still in. Once the shaft is out, should not be that hard. But looks like you tried all of the tricks. How many times did you cut through it with the sawzall? If you cut it twice, tightening up bolts into the set screw threads should be more than enough to collapse it. Maybe cut it into four, and try again?

when all else fails, I generally reach for a bigger hammer, or even better, an air hammer.

Yea I could try cutting it in 1/4 and peeling it out that way, I usually do that too and destroy stuff lol

 

[Regal3560!]

Make sure you get all of the set screws, not sure how many you have, I believe I only had one.
The cutlass is made of rubber and soft brass, you should be able to cut through the brass, get a screwdriver underneath and pry out.

To install, I put the bearing in the freezer overnight and brought down to the marina in a small cooler with ice, I felt like I was carrying an organ for transplant. It dropped right in and became tight as it warmed up. I did all of this with the shaft still installed.

Good lukc!

I had 2 set screws I got out, I did hear about the ice trick I’ll defiantly try that

 

[alk]

Once the set screw is out, can you fit a small screwdriver, or rod, through the threads, and whack it with a bfh? That should be enough to collapse it.

 

[WALSHIE]

It's pretty difficult to destroy the strut, that is hardened steel and the cutlass bearing is rubber/brass. I'd get a long sawzall blade and carefully cut the whole length of the cutlass bearing while sticking small screw drivers along one side of the cut to free it.

You might want to use a hole saw of appropriate diameter to hone things out and get rid of the rubber so you can see the brass and how much you are cutting.

 

[Regal3560!]

Once the set screw is out, can you fit a small screwdriver, or rod, through the threads, and whack it with a bfh? That should be enough to collapse it.

I actually threaded the bolt right through the bearing and still nothing

 

[Regal3560!]

It's pretty difficult to destroy the strut, that is hardened steel and the cutlass bearing is rubber/brass. I'd get a long sawzall blade and carefully cut the whole length of the cutlass bearing while sticking small screw drivers along one side of the cut to free it.

You might want to use a hole saw of appropriate diameter to hone things out and get rid of the rubber so you can see the brass and how much you are cutting.

Ok good to know, I was thinking the strut was a type of brass or something, going to try a few of these things in the next couple days and see if I can make any progress

 

[WALSHIE]

Ok good to know, I was thinking the strut was a type of brass or something, going to try a few of these things in the next couple days and see if I can make any progress

Actually now that I think of it the strut is not steel it is bronze or nimbral??

But still very difficult to damage.

 

[alk]

you see the bearing in there, right? Without drilling a hole, surprised that a bolt would poke straight through, as opposed to denting the bearing. So maybe it’s gone already?

I would cut it one more time, then start folding it in on itself with chisels, picks, screwdrivers, whatever works. Or if you can find a socket, pipe, anything else the same diameter as the bearing, that fits inside the strut - beat it out of there with a big Effin hammer. some people use a new bearing to beat the old one out - but that generally destroys the new one.