How to Remove a Sailboat Cutlass Bearing
- 1). Remove the setscrew holding the propeller shaft into the cutlass bearing using an allen wrench. The screw is usually on the left side of the stern tube before the hull.
- 2). Fit the removal tool's metal sleeves into the gap between the propeller shaft and the stern tube so the edge of the sleeves are resting on the bearing. You will have to use gradually larger sizes until you have achieved a group of sleeves with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the stern tube.
- 3). Secure the sleeves onto the propeller shaft with the straps included in the removal-tool kit, placing one strap 1 in. away from each end of the sleeves. Make sure the gaps between the sleeves are on the top and the bottom of the shaft.
- 4). Slip an aft horseshoe from the kit into the aft side of the bearing removal tool. The horseshoe you use should be slightly larger than the bearing to allow it to pass through when removing it.
- 5). Slide the aft end of the bearing through the hole on the horseshoe and through the aft side of the tool. Pull the forward end of the tool up, along the underside of the shaft and secure it onto the shaft with a forward horseshoe the same size as the shaft.
- 6). Make five turns on the left nut on the aft end of the tool with a wrench followed by five turns of the right nut. Continue to make five turns at a time on each side until the bearing comes out of the stern tube.
- 7). Use a hammer to gently bang the bearing and sleeves out of the stern tube. You can remove the tool if it is in your way.
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