Getting To The Point –

Useful Tips for How to Replace a Cutlass Bearing


It does not matter the number of times that you use your boat, but you must at some point change the cutlass bearing. When the time is up for changing the cutlass bearing, you will locate it a little off the keel or underneath the woodwork of the boat.

Fortunately apart from getting your hands dirty, removing the cutlass bearing is not tricky. These are the steps to follow to replace your boat’s cutlass bearing, now.

The first thing you should do is to locate the set screws and remove them. In most cases, the screws are found hidden under a thin marine layer of crud and growth. Don’t forget that other boat manufacturers do not use set screws. If you already know that your boat does not have set screws, then it is not good to waste time looking for them.

Cutting the bearing is a must in the replacement of the cutlass bearing. In the absence of a Sawzall, you can use a hacksaw to cut the cutlass bearing. You must have enough knowledge of how to use the Sawzall tool from Propeller Depot.

Bending the cutlass bearing is the next step. You can bend the cutlass bearing to the inner side using a cold chisel and a hammer so that you reach the other side where you have made a cut. Do not use excessive force when hitting the cutlass bearing for it to bend. When you forcefully bend the cutlass bearing, you risk damaging the strut of the boat.

To open the cutlass bearing up to the other end, do so by putting a maple dowel after creating a space by bending the boat’s cutlass using a hammer. Do not use metal tools to slit open the cutlass bearing up to its length. The interior of the strut may get damaged by so doing.

Finally, remove the cutlass bearing. Use a pair of pliers to hold the cutlass bearing to remove it. Install a new cutlass bearing after you clean the strut’s surface. After removing the old cutlass bearing, and the surface of the strut is clean, and you are about to install a new cutlass bearing bought from Propeller Depot ensure the cutlass bearing can enter the acme props in a straight line.

If the ramrod strut is not straight and if it is forced it may get damaged. So that the ramrod of the strut can go in straight use some grease on the cutlass bearing to help it to slide in easily.