[C320-list] Cutless bearing replacement

[David Nolte]

Hi Pat,

Graeme is across the Big Pond…

David Nolte
Beach House 0004

> On Apr 5, 2022, at 4:57 PM, ptormey at 4square.net wrote:
> 
> mmm... Maybe I missed this but why not use the club's kit? I used it last month and it work wonderfully. I even left a few extra set screws in the kit just in case somebody drops one.
> 
> Pat Tormey
> Blue Skies s/v
> Newport, RI USA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Graeme Clark
> Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 12:50 PM
> To: Catalina list <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: [C320-list] Cutless bearing replacement
> 
> I am making my own removal tool (as I am on the other side of the pond, so loaner program is not an option!)
> 
> I thought the bearing was 4 inches long, for a 1 inch shaft with an outside diameter of 1-1/4 inch so I ordered a suitable piece of steel tube and cut it lengthwise so that this will go either side of the shaft and then I will use this to push out the old bearing.
> 
> My own boat is still in the water, being hauled out at the end of the month, so I tried it for size on  a friend’s C320. Given that he doesn't need his bearing replaced, this was limited to just sliding the two halves of the ‘extractor tube’ along the shaft until it touched the bearing.
> 
> Now it seemed to me that the overall 1-1/4 inch outside diameter of the tube is actually too large to fit into the “p-bracket” (shaft support bracket that contains the cutless bearing).
> 
> So thats easy enough to solve, i can get a thinner tube with a wall thickness of just 1/16 inch and thus an overall outside diameter of 1-1/8”
> 
> BUT - is the bearing itself actually smaller?  Did Catalina change the spec at all (my boat is ’96, my friend’s is 99)
> 
> Obviously i want to pre-order the bearing, ready for when my boat is hauled out, so I need to get it correct. Its going to be expensive to have her sat on the hard whilst I wait for a re-delivery of a wrongly ordered item!
> 
> If anyone on this list actually has the removal tool in their possession, could they send me a photo and better still measure the outside diameter of the extraction piece.
> 
> All other info gratefully received.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Graeme Clark
> #366, 1996
> “Jaskar”, Poole, England.
> 

David Nolte
SuspenderStore
800-393-4508