Need to replace cutlass bearings?

[Thomas.misskelly]

On my 2001 55' convertible I noticed a whistle when I put in gear on both engines...I dove under the boat and turned the props by hand and the whistle/squeak seems to be coming from the cutlass bearing. The boat is in Mexico and the nearest haul out is 100 miles...is this a sign the bearing need replacement?

[Scarlett]

Could be the rubber in the bearing is gone and shaft is rubbing on metal. If it is possible someone should try to move the shaft up and down to see if there is movement in the bearing if so then bearing is for sure bad. This may not be so easy underwater, but if you brace yourself well you should be able to get enough force to move the shaft. The other thing I have seen is the rubber in one had actually broken loose and folded itself over in the bearing making the shaft very tight. This is very unusual however. John

[Reefgeorge]

I've had my shafts squeal in the cutlass bearings at spin down when all was ok but as stated above, you need to try and see how much "clunk" you have in your shaft movement/clearance.

George

[Thomas.misskelly]

I'm going to have a diver go down this morning and see if there is any play in the bearing... if it looks ok is was thinking about using the fresh water hose to spray and clean them out.

[Cricket]

Was at a marina once where a diver had a cutless bearing removal/install tool powered with a hand pumped hydraulic press up on the dock that pressed out the old and pressed in the new set of cutlass on a Viking, think it was a 53. He had different parts to use for different shaft and cutlass sizes, pretty slick.

[Thomas.misskelly]

Cleaned them with brush and hose, inspected and no play, they look good but still squeak...

[Steve Mannshardt]

On my 2001 55' convertible I noticed a whistle when I put in gear on both engines...I dove under the boat and turned the props by hand and the whistle/squeak seems to be coming from the cutlass bearing. The boat is in Mexico and the nearest haul out is 100 miles...is this a sign the bearing need replacement?

If a low speed noise which goes away with increased rpm it could be as simple as a singing wheel. Edges of the prop blades are worn to a sharp edge and set up a high pitch whine. Having the wheels tuned will eliminate it.

[PJ61]

Is it possible that the strut set screw(s) holding the cutlass bearing have loosened, backed out, or sheared off and are allowing the cutlass to spin inside the strut? Just a thought. PJ61

[kingsley_oasis]

I had same issue on starboard going astern at low speed. All checked out OK with cutlass bearing. Noise went as mysteriously as it appeared. That was 150 hrs ago. Yard though paint from recent bottom job may have been cause. They used a stethoscope to listen from inside, and identified lower strut by prop. Which they though could have been cutlass bearing or the spurs line cutter.

Ray

[jrbrein]

I recently replaced all of my cutlass bearings on both struts each side and the rudder shafts.

Right after the boat was launched I heard a whistle sound over the starboard intermediate strut at low rpms only. The sound has since gone away. I thought it was probably due to the tight fit of the rubber and being new.

Or gremlins...

Jon