Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-09 Thread Russ & Melody via CnC-List



Hi Josh,

Don't sweat the small stuff. It doesn't matter a 
wit if the cutlass bearing overhangs the strut by 
an 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 or is flush. Zero, nada.


I would centre the difference for ascetics reason and call it a day.

Interestingly I had this situation on Sweet (in 
the ol' days) and there was no interference in 
the fit. It didn't require thermal difference or 
a press-fit, simply relying on a set screw.
To backup the set screw a simple centre punch to 
raise a dimple fore & aft in the exposed ends can 
keep it from "walking out" of the strut.


Cheers, Russ
Vancouver Island



At 09:08 PM 7/8/2020, you wrote:
Well it seems that maybe the previous owner has 
replaced the shaft with a larger size.  A few 
other 37+ owners have stated that their shafts 
are 1-1/8th whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The 
original shaft would have come with a strut 
which would accommodate a bearing OD of 1-5/8 
inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x 4-1/2).  The smallest 
bearing OD for my larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 
(1-1/4 x 1-3/4 x 5).  It appears that the PO 
must have run into a similar problem with this 
combination of original strut and larger shaft 
and must have had the bearing turned down to 1-5/8 OD.


Now for my next question.  After the machinist 
turned the bearing, he failed to cut it to a 
length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing 
which is 1/2 inch too long for the strut.  I 
can split the difference and leave 1/4 inch 
sticking out on either side of the strut.  Or 
some other fraction forward and aft.  Currently 
I have about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm 
not sure if this is good, bad, or indifferent 
and I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.  Cut 
it off?  Leave it?  Move it flush on one side or the other?


Thanks,
Josh MuckleyÂ
S/V Sea HawkÂ
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD



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every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use PayPal 
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Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-09 Thread Joel Delamirande via CnC-List
Bonjour Bruno
Entre Québécois je voulais dire bonjour

On Thu, Jul 9, 2020 at 8:41 AM Bruno Lachance via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Hi Josh,
>
> When I replaced mine I left the excess length on the forward side to add a
> tiny bit more support between the strut and the engine. Probably don't make
> a difference, but a friend of mine who owned a CS36 Merlin told me it could
> not be bad and maybe help to reduce vibrations. On his boat the shaft is
> very long with a fair length without any support. He always add trouble
> with vibrations and even broke the shaft in the Bahamas. Many variables
> there I agree...
>
> After 5 years I don't see any premature wear to the bearing.
>
> From an amateur sailor. I don't think it really matters, rear or forward.
> And I don't think the extra length hurts anything either.
>
> You should see a noticeable improvement regarding vibrations with your
> drivetrain refit.
>
> Bruno Lachance
> Bécassine, 33-2
> New-Richmond, Qc
>
>
> Envoyé de mon iPad
>
> Le 9 juil. 2020 à 07:43, bwhitmore via CnC-List  a
> écrit :
>
> Hi Josh, I was just checking our driveshaft numbers yesterday as I will be
> coming out of the watwe at the end of the month and I want to replace the
> cutlass bearing then.  Our shift measures 1 1/4" as well according to the
> survey, an old worn out folding prop in my garage and a measurement I took
> about 9 months ago.  So. I'm thinking your boat may not be such an anomaly
> after all.  I have no idea what the strut is going to be like.
>
> All things being equal, I think I would either cut off the excess or align
> the forard side flush, just thinking that the blunter forward edge would be
> more likely to build positive water pressure, thus pushing water into and
> through the bearing.
>
> That's just a layman's guess though.
>
> Please keep us updated!
>
> Bruce Whitmore
> 1994 C&C 37/40+
> "Astralis"
>
>
>
> Sent from Samsung tablet.
>
>
>  Original message 
> From: Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
> Date: 7/9/20 12:09 AM (GMT-05:00)
> To: C&C List 
> Cc: Josh Muckley 
> Subject: Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement
>
> Well it seems that maybe the previous owner has replaced the shaft with a
> larger size.  A few other 37+ owners have stated that their shafts are
> 1-1/8th whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The original shaft would have come with a
> strut which would accommodate a bearing OD of 1-5/8 inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x
> 4-1/2).  The smallest bearing OD for my larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 (1-1/4
> x 1-3/4 x 5).  It appears that the PO must have run into a similar problem
> with this combination of original strut and larger shaft and must have had
> the bearing turned down to 1-5/8 OD.
>
> Now for my next question.  After the machinist turned the bearing, he
> failed to cut it to a length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing which is
> 1/2 inch too long for the strut.  I can split the difference and leave 1/4
> inch sticking out on either side of the strut.  Or some other fraction
> forward and aft.  Currently I have about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm
> not sure if this is good, bad, or indifferent and I'd like to get
> everyone's thoughts.  Cut it off?  Leave it?  Move it flush on one side or
> the other?
>
> Thanks,
> Josh Muckley
> S/V Sea Hawk
> 1989 C&C 37+
> Solomons, MD
>
> On Mon, Jun 8, 2020, 16:03 Josh Muckley via CnC-List <
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>
>> OK folks,
>>
>> I thought I was doing things the right way and incorporating all of the
>> years of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing a drive train rebuild and
>> with the shaft out it only made sense to replace the strut bearing as
>> well.  It didn't seem to need it but doing it with the shaft out seemed a
>> lot easier than with it in and I know for a fact that the bearing is at
>> least 8 years old and probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft and
>> the bearing is pretty thin walled so looking online at the availability of
>> bearings it seemed that the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch
>> bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness
>> (about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th rubber) Well I took it to the boat before
>> destroying the old bearing and sure enough it looks like the right size.
>> Seems like it will fit just right.  I went ahead and destroyed the old
>> bearing getting it out.  Compared the now destroyed bearing to the new one
>> and again no indication of any incorrect size.  Today I brought the new
>> bearing (fresh 

Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-09 Thread John Christopher via CnC-List
Josh,

My bearing is longer than the strut (work done by a credible yard). That was in 
2016. I’ve had zero issues (I routinely check for play). 


/John

> On Jul 9, 2020, at 12:08 AM, Josh Muckley  wrote:
> 
> 
> Well it seems that maybe the previous owner has replaced the shaft with a 
> larger size.  A few other 37+ owners have stated that their shafts are 
> 1-1/8th whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The original shaft would have come with a 
> strut which would accommodate a bearing OD of 1-5/8 inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x 
> 4-1/2).  The smallest bearing OD for my larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 (1-1/4 x 
> 1-3/4 x 5).  It appears that the PO must have run into a similar problem with 
> this combination of original strut and larger shaft and must have had the 
> bearing turned down to 1-5/8 OD.
> 
> Now for my next question.  After the machinist turned the bearing, he failed 
> to cut it to a length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing which is 1/2 inch 
> too long for the strut.  I can split the difference and leave 1/4 inch 
> sticking out on either side of the strut.  Or some other fraction forward and 
> aft.  Currently I have about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm not sure if 
> this is good, bad, or indifferent and I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.  
> Cut it off?  Leave it?  Move it flush on one side or the other?
> 
> Thanks,
> Josh Muckley 
> S/V Sea Hawk 
> 1989 C&C 37+
> Solomons, MD
> 
>> On Mon, Jun 8, 2020, 16:03 Josh Muckley via CnC-List  
>> wrote:
>> OK folks, 
>> 
>> I thought I was doing things the right way and incorporating all of the 
>> years of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing a drive train rebuild and 
>> with the shaft out it only made sense to replace the strut bearing as well.  
>> It didn't seem to need it but doing it with the shaft out seemed a lot 
>> easier than with it in and I know for a fact that the bearing is at least 8 
>> years old and probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft and the 
>> bearing is pretty thin walled so looking online at the availability of 
>> bearings it seemed that the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch 
>> bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness 
>> (about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th rubber) Well I took it to the boat before 
>> destroying the old bearing and sure enough it looks like the right size.  
>> Seems like it will fit just right.  I went ahead and destroyed the old 
>> bearing getting it out.  Compared the now destroyed bearing to the new one 
>> and again no indication of any incorrect size.  Today I brought the new 
>> bearing (fresh from the freezer) to the boat and much to my dismay it 
>> slipped right into the strut with no resistance and probably 1/16th of play 
>> all the way around.  If I had to guess, I would think that it is instead a 
>> 1-5/8ths strut not 1-1/2.  Ugh!  So I looked online and sure enough the only 
>> next closest size is 1-3/4.  That means 1/4 inch wall thickness (1/8th inch 
>> metal, 1/8th rubber). 
>> 
>> This is when I recalled someone else on the list having a similar problem a 
>> few years ago.  I searched the archives and was unable to find the old post. 
>>  I've been to buck algonquin and a few other sites and Google searches only 
>> to find that the bearings jump from 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 with nothing in between.  
>> I'm headed back to the boat with a set of calipers but unless it turns out 
>> to be a 1-3/4 and my eyes are simply due for calibration, I'm afraid I'm 
>> running out of options.  I know that the bearings can be turned down but 
>> that seems costly and unnecessary.  I'd like a better idea.
>> 
>> 
>> All the best, 
>> 
>> Josh Muckley
>> S/V Sea Hawk 
>> 1989 C&C 37+
>> Solomons, MD 
>> ___
>> 
>> Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each and 
>> every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use 
>> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> 
___

Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each and 
every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use PayPal 
to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray



Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-09 Thread Bruno Lachance via CnC-List
Hi Josh,

When I replaced mine I left the excess length on the forward side to add a tiny 
bit more support between the strut and the engine. Probably don't make a 
difference, but a friend of mine who owned a CS36 Merlin told me it could not 
be bad and maybe help to reduce vibrations. On his boat the shaft is very long 
with a fair length without any support. He always add trouble with vibrations 
and even broke the shaft in the Bahamas. Many variables there I agree...

After 5 years I don't see any premature wear to the bearing.

From an amateur sailor. I don't think it really matters, rear or forward. And I 
don't think the extra length hurts anything either.

You should see a noticeable improvement regarding vibrations with your 
drivetrain refit.

Bruno Lachance
Bécassine, 33-2
New-Richmond, Qc


Envoyé de mon iPad

Le 9 juil. 2020 à 07:43, bwhitmore via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> a écrit :

Hi Josh, I was just checking our driveshaft numbers yesterday as I will be 
coming out of the watwe at the end of the month and I want to replace the 
cutlass bearing then.  Our shift measures 1 1/4" as well according to the 
survey, an old worn out folding prop in my garage and a measurement I took 
about 9 months ago.  So. I'm thinking your boat may not be such an anomaly 
after all.  I have no idea what the strut is going to be like.

All things being equal, I think I would either cut off the excess or align the 
forard side flush, just thinking that the blunter forward edge would be more 
likely to build positive water pressure, thus pushing water into and through 
the bearing.

That's just a layman's guess though.

Please keep us updated!

Bruce Whitmore
1994 C&C 37/40+
"Astralis"



Sent from Samsung tablet.


 Original message 
From: Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Date: 7/9/20 12:09 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: C&C List mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Cc: Josh Muckley mailto:muckl...@gmail.com>>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

Well it seems that maybe the previous owner has replaced the shaft with a 
larger size.  A few other 37+ owners have stated that their shafts are 1-1/8th 
whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The original shaft would have come with a strut which 
would accommodate a bearing OD of 1-5/8 inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x 4-1/2).  The 
smallest bearing OD for my larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 (1-1/4 x 1-3/4 x 5).  It 
appears that the PO must have run into a similar problem with this combination 
of original strut and larger shaft and must have had the bearing turned down to 
1-5/8 OD.

Now for my next question.  After the machinist turned the bearing, he failed to 
cut it to a length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing which is 1/2 inch too 
long for the strut.  I can split the difference and leave 1/4 inch sticking out 
on either side of the strut.  Or some other fraction forward and aft.  
Currently I have about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm not sure if this is 
good, bad, or indifferent and I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.  Cut it off? 
 Leave it?  Move it flush on one side or the other?

Thanks,
Josh Muckley
S/V Sea Hawk
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD

On Mon, Jun 8, 2020, 16:03 Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
OK folks,

I thought I was doing things the right way and incorporating all of the years 
of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing a drive train rebuild and with the 
shaft out it only made sense to replace the strut bearing as well.  It didn't 
seem to need it but doing it with the shaft out seemed a lot easier than with 
it in and I know for a fact that the bearing is at least 8 years old and 
probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft and the bearing is pretty 
thin walled so looking online at the availability of bearings it seemed that 
the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 
1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness (about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th 
rubber) Well I took it to the boat before destroying the old bearing and sure 
enough it looks like the right size.  Seems like it will fit just right.  I 
went ahead and destroyed the old bearing getting it out.  Compared the now 
destroyed bearing to the new one and again no indication of any incorrect size. 
 Today I brought the new bearing (fresh from the freezer) to the boat and much 
to my dismay it slipped right into the strut with no resistance and probably 
1/16th of play all the way around.  If I had to guess, I would think that it is 
instead a 1-5/8ths strut not 1-1/2.  Ugh!  So I looked online and sure enough 
the only next closest size is 1-3/4.  That means 1/4 inch wall thickness (1/8th 
inch metal, 1/8th rubber).

This is when I recalled someone else on the list having a similar problem a few 
years ago.  I searched the archives and was unable to find 

Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-09 Thread bwhitmore via CnC-List
Hi Josh, I was just checking our driveshaft numbers yesterday as I will be 
coming out of the watwe at the end of the month and I want to replace the 
cutlass bearing then.  Our shift measures 1 1/4" as well according to the 
survey, an old worn out folding prop in my garage and a measurement I took 
about 9 months ago.  So. I'm thinking your boat may not be such an anomaly 
after all.  I have no idea what the strut is going to be like.All things being 
equal, I think I would either cut off the excess or align the forard side 
flush, just thinking that the blunter forward edge would be more likely to 
build positive water pressure, thus pushing water into and through the 
bearing.That's just a layman's guess though.Please keep us updated!Bruce 
Whitmore 1994 C&C 37/40+"Astralis"Sent from Samsung tablet.
 Original message From: Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
 Date: 7/9/20  12:09 AM  (GMT-05:00) To: C&C List 
 Cc: Josh Muckley  Subject: Re: 
Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement Well it seems that maybe 
the previous owner has replaced the shaft with a larger size.  A few other 37+ 
owners have stated that their shafts are 1-1/8th whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The 
original shaft would have come with a strut which would accommodate a bearing 
OD of 1-5/8 inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x 4-1/2).  The smallest bearing OD for my 
larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 (1-1/4 x 1-3/4 x 5).  It appears that the PO must 
have run into a similar problem with this combination of original strut and 
larger shaft and must have had the bearing turned down to 1-5/8 OD.Now for my 
next question.  After the machinist turned the bearing, he failed to cut it to 
a length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing which is 1/2 inch too long for the 
strut.  I can split the difference and leave 1/4 inch sticking out on either 
side of the strut.  Or some other fraction forward and aft.  Currently I have 
about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm not sure if this is good, bad, or 
indifferent and I'd like to get everyone's thoughts.  Cut it off?  Leave it?  
Move it flush on one side or the other?Thanks,Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 
C&C 37+Solomons, MDOn Mon, Jun 8, 2020, 16:03 Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
 wrote:OK folks, I thought I was doing things the right 
way and incorporating all of the years of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing 
a drive train rebuild and with the shaft out it only made sense to replace the 
strut bearing as well.  It didn't seem to need it but doing it with the shaft 
out seemed a lot easier than with it in and I know for a fact that the bearing 
is at least 8 years old and probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft 
and the bearing is pretty thin walled so looking online at the availability of 
bearings it seemed that the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch 
bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness 
(about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th rubber) Well I took it to the boat before 
destroying the old bearing and sure enough it looks like the right size.  Seems 
like it will fit just right.  I went ahead and destroyed the old bearing 
getting it out.  Compared the now destroyed bearing to the new one and again no 
indication of any incorrect size.  Today I brought the new bearing (fresh from 
the freezer) to the boat and much to my dismay it slipped right into the strut 
with no resistance and probably 1/16th of play all the way around.  If I had to 
guess, I would think that it is instead a 1-5/8ths strut not 1-1/2.  Ugh!  So I 
looked online and sure enough the only next closest size is 1-3/4.  That means 
1/4 inch wall thickness (1/8th inch metal, 1/8th rubber). This is when I 
recalled someone else on the list having a similar problem a few years ago.  I 
searched the archives and was unable to find the old post.  I've been to buck 
algonquin and a few other sites and Google searches only to find that the 
bearings jump from 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 with nothing in between.  I'm headed back to 
the boat with a set of calipers but unless it turns out to be a 1-3/4 and my 
eyes are simply due for calibration, I'm afraid I'm running out of options.  I 
know that the bearings can be turned down but that seems costly and 
unnecessary.  I'd like a better idea.All the best, Josh MuckleyS/V Sea Hawk 
1989 C&C 37+Solomons, MD 
___

Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each and 
every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use PayPal 
to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray


___

Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each and 
every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use PayPal 
to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray



Re: Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-07-08 Thread Josh Muckley via CnC-List
Well it seems that maybe the previous owner has replaced the shaft with a
larger size.  A few other 37+ owners have stated that their shafts are
1-1/8th whereas mine is 1-1/4.  The original shaft would have come with a
strut which would accommodate a bearing OD of 1-5/8 inch (1-1/8 x 1-5/8 x
4-1/2).  The smallest bearing OD for my larger 1-1/4 shaft is 1-3/4 (1-1/4
x 1-3/4 x 5).  It appears that the PO must have run into a similar problem
with this combination of original strut and larger shaft and must have had
the bearing turned down to 1-5/8 OD.

Now for my next question.  After the machinist turned the bearing, he
failed to cut it to a length of 4-1/2.   The result is a bearing which is
1/2 inch too long for the strut.  I can split the difference and leave 1/4
inch sticking out on either side of the strut.  Or some other fraction
forward and aft.  Currently I have about 1/8th forward and 3/8th aft.  I'm
not sure if this is good, bad, or indifferent and I'd like to get
everyone's thoughts.  Cut it off?  Leave it?  Move it flush on one side or
the other?

Thanks,
Josh Muckley
S/V Sea Hawk
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD

On Mon, Jun 8, 2020, 16:03 Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
wrote:

> OK folks,
>
> I thought I was doing things the right way and incorporating all of the
> years of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing a drive train rebuild and
> with the shaft out it only made sense to replace the strut bearing as
> well.  It didn't seem to need it but doing it with the shaft out seemed a
> lot easier than with it in and I know for a fact that the bearing is at
> least 8 years old and probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft and
> the bearing is pretty thin walled so looking online at the availability of
> bearings it seemed that the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch
> bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness
> (about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th rubber) Well I took it to the boat before
> destroying the old bearing and sure enough it looks like the right size.
> Seems like it will fit just right.  I went ahead and destroyed the old
> bearing getting it out.  Compared the now destroyed bearing to the new one
> and again no indication of any incorrect size.  Today I brought the new
> bearing (fresh from the freezer) to the boat and much to my dismay it
> slipped right into the strut with no resistance and probably 1/16th of play
> all the way around.  If I had to guess, I would think that it is instead a
> 1-5/8ths strut not 1-1/2.  Ugh!  So I looked online and sure enough the
> only next closest size is 1-3/4.  That means 1/4 inch wall thickness (1/8th
> inch metal, 1/8th rubber).
>
> This is when I recalled someone else on the list having a similar problem
> a few years ago.  I searched the archives and was unable to find the old
> post.  I've been to buck algonquin and a few other sites and Google
> searches only to find that the bearings jump from 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 with
> nothing in between.  I'm headed back to the boat with a set of calipers but
> unless it turns out to be a 1-3/4 and my eyes are simply due for
> calibration, I'm afraid I'm running out of options.  I know that the
> bearings can be turned down but that seems costly and unnecessary.  I'd
> like a better idea.
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Josh Muckley
> S/V Sea Hawk
> 1989 C&C 37+
> Solomons, MD
> ___
>
> Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each
> and every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list -
> use PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
>
___

Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions.  Each and 
every one is greatly appreciated.  If you want to support the list - use PayPal 
to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray



Stus-List Cutless/cutlass/strut bearing replacement

2020-06-08 Thread Josh Muckley via CnC-List
OK folks,

I thought I was doing things the right way and incorporating all of the
years of collective wisdom.  Wrong!  I'm doing a drive train rebuild and
with the shaft out it only made sense to replace the strut bearing as
well.  It didn't seem to need it but doing it with the shaft out seemed a
lot easier than with it in and I know for a fact that the bearing is at
least 8 years old and probably twice that.  I know I have a 1-1/4 shaft and
the bearing is pretty thin walled so looking online at the availability of
bearings it seemed that the only real option was a 1-1/4 x 1-1/2 x 5 inch
bearing.  That's 1-1/4 ID and 1-1/2 OD.  Basically 1/8 total wall thickness
(about 1/16th bronze and 1/16th rubber) Well I took it to the boat before
destroying the old bearing and sure enough it looks like the right size.
Seems like it will fit just right.  I went ahead and destroyed the old
bearing getting it out.  Compared the now destroyed bearing to the new one
and again no indication of any incorrect size.  Today I brought the new
bearing (fresh from the freezer) to the boat and much to my dismay it
slipped right into the strut with no resistance and probably 1/16th of play
all the way around.  If I had to guess, I would think that it is instead a
1-5/8ths strut not 1-1/2.  Ugh!  So I looked online and sure enough the
only next closest size is 1-3/4.  That means 1/4 inch wall thickness (1/8th
inch metal, 1/8th rubber).

This is when I recalled someone else on the list having a similar problem a
few years ago.  I searched the archives and was unable to find the old
post.  I've been to buck algonquin and a few other sites and Google
searches only to find that the bearings jump from 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 with
nothing in between.  I'm headed back to the boat with a set of calipers but
unless it turns out to be a 1-3/4 and my eyes are simply due for
calibration, I'm afraid I'm running out of options.  I know that the
bearings can be turned down but that seems costly and unnecessary.  I'd
like a better idea.


All the best,

Josh Muckley
S/V Sea Hawk
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD
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