My cutless bearing is noisy I think.

[John]

In the back cabin on my fjord 27 is quite noisy when running sounds like a bearing is running dry. So Iam guessing my my cutless bearing is toast. I am getting my boat out the water soon so anyone recommend where to get a beard my and what sort of job it is. 

 

Thnks john

[dnks34]

Can cutlass bearings run dry? They are water lubricated i think.  They are not actually a metal to metal bearing i dont believe, more a hard rubber or neoprene. 

With cutlass problems ive had in the past there has been a rattle in reverse. 

Its not a easy diy job....shaft out unless you have access to a very specialised tool. 

[Oddfellow]

Cutlass bearings are water lubricated. It's more a bush in honesty. As suggested, they are a ruberised fitting that the prop shaft runs in. Some vessels have one at the prop end and another at the stern tube to hull end. 

Replacement almost always requires the shaft to be removed, which often means that the rudder also has to be removed as the shaft probably won't pass the rudder. 

It is possible the bearing is shot with the noise you are hearing. It might also be something on the prop. 

Kingfisher Boat Services would be pleased to assist with jobs like this. We have slipping facilities and skilled engineers. 

[John]

Thanks for the help I am looking at doing the job myself. Boat will be out in a couple of weeks so will be able to investigate further. 

 

Thanks john

[ranworthbreeze]

Hi John,

In the past we have had to stainless weld our prop shaft and have it reground to take out wear where it went through the stern gland, we have also had to have the cutlass bearing housing sealed where it was leaking. You have already been advised that you will have to remove the the prop shaft.

Could the problem be an out of balance prop?

Here are a few pictures for you

Regards

Alan

[Oddfellow]

Is it really cost effective to stainless weld and regrind a shaft? They aren't mega money to replace in many cases.

It can be a long-winded job, John. Take the opportunity to have the shaft and rudder checked. Could save you the cost of another lift. 

[dnks34]

When our shaft became worn at the cutlass end due to trapped fishing line we just replaced it...the aft section is about 8ft and it didnt cost all that much. 

Is that normal shaft wear Alan? Presuming it was caused by the packing it looks quite severe to me.  Or was it the rope that did it?

[MBA Marine]

I have rarely seen a shaft worn as much as in Alan picture, I should say someone was a bit keen with nipping up of the stern gland.

[dnks34]

Thats precisely what I was thinkinng MBA!

[John]

Thanks for the help. I  don't have a regular stern gland 

the brass piece has 3 lip seals in it. I seem to get the rumbling noise and slight vibration if I open her up a bit. When I get her on my trailer I will take some pictures 

[ranworthbreeze]

10 hours ago, FreedomBoatingHols said:

Is it really cost effective to stainless weld and regrind a shaft? They aren't mega money to replace in many cases.

It can be a long-winded job, John. Take the opportunity to have the shaft and rudder checked. Could save you the cost of another lift. 

Hi Andy,

It was not a question of cost, but more of timing, the job could not be done in Norfolk in time for the season start, the prop shaft was removed (all eight foot of it) shipped to Leeds where one of our owners had the work done at the company he works for. The prop was refurbished locally which was done in time.

I totally agree that whilst out of the water John should check everything that he can.

Regards

Alan

[ranworthbreeze]

9 hours ago, MBA Marine said:

I have rarely seen a shaft worn as much as in Alan picture, I should say someone was a bit keen with nipping up of the stern gland.

Hi Mark,

We put this down to bad maintenance when we were moored on the Northern Broads.

Because of the amount of wear on the prop shaft, we had the alignment checked and the engine mounts. I totally agree that work such as over tightening the stern gland in the wrong hands can cause such wear.

Regards

Alan

 

[dnks34]

Could that be a legacy of the frost era Alan?

[ranworthbreeze]

22 hours ago, dnks34 said:

Could that be a legacy of the frost era Alan?

We found out after the owners took direct control of the boat in early 2012 that some suppliers were instructed to only do the minimal maintenance. The prop shaft was our first major work in early 2012.

Regards

Alan