Frequency of strut bushing replacement

[AirTool]

There was a post the other day from someone wondering what preventive maintenance should be done at 300 hours.

I mentioned alignment and then got to thinking about the strut bushing. I looked over at the "other" frequently used parts website and their description in the struct section states the original strut bushing (cutlass bearing) only lasts about 300 hours.

Please report back any data on cutlass bearing failure/replacment and how you knew it went bad.

[bchesley]

I dont know of anyone that replaces them with that kind of frequency. I replaced one on my first boat at 1000hours because I thought it needed to be replaced. I saw no difference in perfomance between the old and new. I dont plan on changing another one unless it is severly damaged.

[WakeSlayer]

Agreed. I don't know who came up with the 300 hours suggestion, but it is absolutely unnecessary. I elected to not even replace the one on the Mustang when I had the motor and shaft out. It has no play, spins fine when wet, and visually good. 43 year old boat still rocking the original.

[DanielC]

My 1997 ski Nautique, with 2328.5 hours has the original strut bushing. However, if you run your boat up on a beach, the extra sand and dirt stirred up may wear out a bushing sooner.

[peteSki]

I just changd out my strut bushings on a 97 Ski with GT-40 with about 1100 hours. These were the original and only started developing play in the last few months as I was running in particularly sandy/silty water. Unless you've got play in the strut, I'd say they are not worth changing out.

Pete