F-33 Cutless Bearing Replacement

Posted by John Jones (a1john@…>)

Every two or three years for the last 16 years I have easily replaced
my cutless bearing myself without pulling the shaft. The first time I
had a yard replace it and told them to leave about 1/4 in of bearing
protuding outside the solid glass after the fairing was chipped off.
Vise Grips will hold and you can “worry” that bearing loose and work
it out. When finished, just fair up the area with Marintex et al
until the next time you need to chip it off and grab the bearing. I
use a small amount of 5200 but have never tried to coat the entire
bearing surface??? All told, less than an hour work.
Incidentally, if you have to remove the shaft for any reason, just
pull the top rudder pin and replace it with a small screw driver. Then
pull the bottom rudder pin completely and that will let you swing the
rudder out of the way. John Jones

Posted by macks011 (macks04@…>)

Is there something wrong with your drive train that necessitates a new
cutless bearing every three years? How many hrs/year do you motor?


— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “John Jones” <a1john@…>
wrote:

Every two or three years for the last 16 years I have easily replaced
my cutless bearing myself without pulling the shaft. The first time I
had a yard replace it and told them to leave about 1/4 in of bearing
protuding outside the solid glass after the fairing was chipped off.
Vise Grips will hold and you can “worry” that bearing loose and work
it out. When finished, just fair up the area with Marintex et al
until the next time you need to chip it off and grab the bearing. I
use a small amount of 5200 but have never tried to coat the entire
bearing surface??? All told, less than an hour work.
Incidentally, if you have to remove the shaft for any reason, just
pull the top rudder pin and replace it with a small screw driver.
Then
pull the bottom rudder pin completely and that will let you swing the
rudder out of the way. John Jones

Posted by John Jones (a1john@…>)

This is my third try to get this reply on line. Anyway, for
thirteen consecutive years, until I stopprd in 2003, I averaged 483
hours/yr on my Yannmar. I prefer to be over cautious maybe in
changing bearings but, I assure you, the thought of a pounding bearing
in the Acklins or Ragged Islands of the Bahamas or some other remote
site makes me very careful. John Jones










— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “macks011” <macks04@…> wrote:

Is there something wrong with your drive train that necessitates a new
cutless bearing every three years? How many hrs/year do you motor?

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “John Jones” <a1john@>
wrote:

Every two or three years for the last 16 years I have easily replaced
my cutless bearing myself without pulling the shaft. The first time I
had a yard replace it and told them to leave about 1/4 in of bearing
protuding outside the solid glass after the fairing was chipped off.
Vise Grips will hold and you can “worry” that bearing loose and work
it out. When finished, just fair up the area with Marintex et al
until the next time you need to chip it off and grab the bearing. I
use a small amount of 5200 but have never tried to coat the entire
bearing surface??? All told, less than an hour work.
Incidentally, if you have to remove the shaft for any reason, just
pull the top rudder pin and replace it with a small screw driver.
Then
pull the bottom rudder pin completely and that will let you swing the
rudder out of the way. John Jones