Cutless bearing replacement

[Paul Scribner]

I have barely 1/16" play in the shaft of my CD 28' Serenitas. The yard owner is uncertain about the job and thinks we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise. I'd rather be safe and do the bearing even though, as yet, there is no vibration. But do you think replacement of the shaft is typical? Any estimates about time and expense involved. The yard will do the work as it is beyond my ability. Thanks.



scribner@channel1.com

[Tom Young]

It's not atypical. I struggled with the shaft on my 28. There was no
room to pack the stuffing box. We removed a shaft vibration damper to
get more space. Then we were able to press the shaft out. Then we
retooled the coupling so it could be removed easily and locked it
with key, lock bolts, wire etc.
The shaft came out on the intracoastal in Florida. A yard junked everything and built a new stainless shaft and coupling, it cost
around 700. which included towing, dockage etc. I think the problem
is getting the shaft out of the coupling. If it is a bear, cutting the
shaft is your best option. Hours at a boatyard can quickly overcome
parts. If the shaft is scored or bent, just cut it. If it looks good
it's worth trying to press it out with a simple to make press(piece of
steel with holes to bolt to coupling, bolt in center to press)
Good luck



fish@mint.net

[Tom]

I have barely 1/16" play in the shaft of my CD 28' Serenitas. The yard owner is uncertain about the job and thinks we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise. I'd rather be safe and do the bearing even though, as yet, there is no vibration. But do you think replacement of the shaft is typical? Any estimates about time and expense involved. The yard will do the work as it is beyond my ability. Thanks.

Ditto everything that Tom said. When I replaced my cutlass bearing, the yard could not get the shaft out of the coupling. Finally cut it with a sawzall (no easy job on stainless)and had a new one fabricated for about $200. There was nothing wrong with the original shaft -- just couldn't get it out of the coupling.If the shaft comes loose it's no big job, but they often don't so figure you might have to have one made up. $ 500 would be getting off cheap with the yard time and all. BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand!



TacCambria@thegrid.net

[Neil Gordon]

>>... we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise.<<

That's what I was told, but it didn't work out that way. The survey suggested a new cutlass bearing... the yard suggested that the shaft might have to be cut to get it out.

I can get you the name and number of the mechanic that did my cutlass bearing, if you want.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Craig Urquhart]

Paul,
Just had my CD27 cutlass bearing and shaft replaced. Haven't had a chance to speak with the mechanic yet. But I got the bill yesterday for $896.42.

My discussions with the mechanic some months ago suggested that a new stainless shaft might be forthcoming if wear was excessive. My shaft had 3/16" of play side to side, and actually had some whip when going to reverse. I figured things were pretty well worn and expected the worst.

My stuffing box needed a new hose segment and my coupling was corroded and required replacement. The mechanics estimate was $700 - 750, based to some extent on the length of the stainless shaft if required.

Parts came to $346.37. That includes $185 for the new stainless shaft, $50 for the coupling, $51 for the bearing, $43 for the prop zinc and nut. Other miscellaneous items make up the balance.(The prop zinc and nut was an unpleasant surprise.)

Labor came to $486 dollars. If the guy gets $40/hour, that's 12 hours for the job. I assume that it includes time for running parts,(boat's in Maine) and travel time to and from the Marina, at least 3 round trips.

Twenty-one years seems like excellent bearing life to me. My bearing was 14 years old with 500 hours runtime . When I purchased Satu in '92, there was considerable prop shaft misalignment, with nearly 1/8" propshaft play. She was eight years old then, with 300 hours runtime. Guess it pays to keep the propshaft aligned.

Hope to speak with the mechanic tomorrow. If significant information is revealed, I'll send it along.

Craig Urquhart
Satu CD27 #272

I have barely 1/16" play in the shaft of my CD 28' Serenitas. The yard owner is uncertain about the job and thinks we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise. I'd rather be safe and do the bearing even though, as yet, there is no vibration. But do you think replacement of the shaft is typical? Any estimates about time and expense involved. The yard will do the work as it is beyond my ability. Thanks.

Satu@gwi.net

[Duncan Maio]

The mechanic who did my boat (same as Neil's) told me up front that the shaft might have to go, depending on the removal process and wear on the (bronze) shaft. It turned out to be unnecessary, but the economics of the job indicate that if any problems are encountered, it is cheaper to cut the shaft and replace it. I would not be concerned about being told that it might be necessary, nor would I resist if told, during the job, that it was necessary.

Duncan Maio



dmaio@att.net

[Craig Urquhart]

Had a debriefing with my mechanic today. He stated that bronze propshaft wear can be significant when cutlass bearing wear becomes excessive, like that on Satu. Substantial cutlass bearing wear allows grit to get up around the shaft and accelerate shaft wear. Other wear points noted were around the packing. He said that packing, when tight, over time, can groove a bronze shaft.

My shaft was worn badly and needed replacement. More timely bearing replacement may have saved my shaft, but I suspect my mechanic would have made the pitch for stainless anyway.....For what it's worth..

Paul,
Just had my CD27 cutlass bearing and shaft replaced. Haven't had a chance to speak with the mechanic yet. But I got the bill yesterday for $896.42.

My discussions with the mechanic some months ago suggested that a new stainless shaft might be forthcoming if wear was excessive. My shaft had 3/16" of play side to side, and actually had some whip when going to reverse. I figured things were pretty well worn and expected the worst.

My stuffing box needed a new hose segment and my coupling was corroded and required replacement. The mechanics estimate was $700 - 750, based to some extent on the length of the stainless shaft if required.

Parts came to $346.37. That includes $185 for the new stainless shaft, $50 for the coupling, $51 for the bearing, $43 for the prop zinc and nut. Other miscellaneous items make up the balance.(The prop zinc and nut was an unpleasant surprise.)

Labor came to $486 dollars. If the guy gets $40/hour, that's 12 hours for the job. I assume that it includes time for running parts,(boat's in Maine) and travel time to and from the Marina, at least 3 round trips.

Twenty-one years seems like excellent bearing life to me. My bearing was 14 years old with 500 hours runtime . When I purchased Satu in '92, there was considerable prop shaft misalignment, with nearly 1/8" propshaft play. She was eight years old then, with 300 hours runtime. Guess it pays to keep the propshaft aligned.

Hope to speak with the mechanic tomorrow. If significant information is revealed, I'll send it along.

Craig Urquhart
Satu CD27 #272

I have barely 1/16" play in the shaft of my CD 28' Serenitas. The yard owner is uncertain about the job and thinks we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise. I'd rather be safe and do the bearing even though, as yet, there is no vibration. But do you think replacement of the shaft is typical? Any estimates about time and expense involved. The yard will do the work as it is beyond my ability. Thanks.

Satu@gwi.net

[Paul Scribner]

Thanks guys for all your help. I've checked with some other folks and have decided to do nothing this season. Since I didn't have any vibration last season and there is so little play, and I'm broke after just buying a new roller-furhler and head sail, I can't afford another big item right now.

I have barely 1/16" play in the shaft of my CD 28' Serenitas. The yard owner is uncertain about the job and thinks we may have to replace the shaft as it is 21 years old and it may not come out otherwise. I'd rather be safe and do the bearing even though, as yet, there is no vibration. But do you think replacement of the shaft is typical? Any estimates about time and expense involved. The yard will do the work as it is beyond my ability. Thanks.

scribner@channel1.com

[Don Metznik]

I just bought a 1982 CD30 and had the yard replace the bearing. It, too, had about a 1/16 inch play. When the shaft was removed, the yard recommended that it,too, be replaced. They gave me a stainless shaft. The total bill was around $850. I did this all long distance, as the boat was in Maine and I was in New York. When I looked at the original shaft, I noticed significant pitting at the point of contact with the bearing. I'm not pleased with the price, but I'm glad it's done.



dmetznic@ix.netcom.com