Cutlas Bearing removel Catalina 27

[gasngo]

I know this has been covered before but I had to ask. I have a 27 Cat. and I think the bearing is original. As a Mech. by trade I understand tools etc. I have taken a close look and it appears the the brass wall of the outer ring is incredibly thin. I have nipped at with a small chisel and I almost cant tell the difference between the strut and the bearing. My concern if I ran a hacksaw back & forth to cut a grove or two I get into the strut. Im not worried about integrity of the strut Im no going saw all the through but if it leaves a small grove between the rings that would allow for future corrosion? I think chipping at will take for ever. Like I said I cant quite tell the defining line between the two components. I know a book but thats my thought process. My wife says I talk to much. What does she know

[GordMay]

“... When making the cut for a set screw bend you do not need to cut all the way through the bearing but do cut evenly. You do however need to be about 98% of the way through ...
... If you do cut all the way through and score the inner surface of the strut it's not a huge deal, but, if you do this every time you change a cutlass it will get bad over time. ...”

From ➥ Replacing A Cutlass Bearing (Sleeve Bearing) Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

[azsailor12]

We replaced cutlass bearings on 2 Capri 26's last summer- they would be very similar if not the same as yours. They were pretty difficult to get out, as they are pressfit. The brass is less than a 1/16" thick, but it will take a bit of hacksawing to get through it. I wouldn't worry about scarring the strut a bit, you can always fair it with epoxy.

[gasngo]

Thanks for the input. I figured it would be a slow careful process. Gord you mention a set screw. I know set screws and to the best of my memory I did not see one on the strut. The weather and lack of free time have kept me away from the project but Ill take a close look. I dont think there is one.

[azsailor12]

There were no setscrews on the Capris.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by GordMay

“... When making the cut for a set screw bend you do not need to cut all the way through the bearing but do cut evenly. You do however need to be about 98% of the way through ...
... If you do cut all the way through and score the inner surface of the strut it's not a huge deal, but, if you do this every time you change a cutlass it will get bad over time. ...”

From ➥ Replacing A Cutlass Bearing (Sleeve Bearing) Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

Gord,
That is a pretty good How-to. The only advice I might differ on is that the hacksaw cut should be on top where there is the thickest metal. Of cours, be careful to barely cut through or maybe not even through. We were able to use threaded rod and fitted washers to effect a press to force the old bearing out and the new one in. I used a cylinder hone to clean the strut's bore.

[gasngo]

All good advise. I thought about the Cyl. hone also. The weather this weekend will be good so that and the packing need to be done. Thanks Brad