Fastjeff, Help on rudder cutlass

[jtalberts]

Jeff,

How did you even get your rudder cutlasses out of the shaft log? Mine will not budge.

[Fastjeff]

With a BMF hammer!

One can be "sensible" and make up a simple puller with a long threaded rod (1/2 inch minimum) and some...'things' (flat washers etc.) on one end to push against the bearing. Use a piece of pipe larger that the bearing and 'pull' it into the pipe.

Good luck!

Jeff

[ericinga]

Must be rudder weekend.

I followed Jeff's instructions.
1. Using jig saw / sawzall, cut bearing into sections.
2. Used a long round punch to knock bearing parts out through the bottom of the housing.
3. Cleaned the bore with sandpaper. There was not much left in the bore and it cleaned up well with hand sanding.

I had this on back-up with a long threaded rod in case Jeff's method did not work.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002 ... UTF8&psc=1

I froze the bearing overnight prior to installation. It was a snug fit cold.

Eric

[jtalberts]

Well that was interesting. I had to chisel the entire thing. My homemade bearing puller didn't even budge it. Took about 30 minutes for one and 10 minutes for the other. The next trick will be attempting to get the new ones in. They feel like they won't go in very easily.

[Fastjeff]

You can clean the hole up so they go in easier by using a drum sander in a fast drill. Ace sells all kinds of sizes, from 1 to 3 inch diameter.

Jeff

[jtalberts]

I bought a set on my lunch break. Hoping to get my rudder cutlass in and my one strut cutlass replaced as well.

[Fastjeff]

You took a lunch break! Get back to work!

Jeff

PS: Good luck.

[jtalberts]

I got the shaft strut bearing in and both the rudders. The key was using the sander. It really smoothed out the tube and they went in with a little persuasion. The bottom of my rudder bearings are sticking out about 1/8th of an inch as I couldn't get anything to knock them further up and in. Besides that, they are freaking done! Now onto getting my starboard alignment completed.