Strut Bearing

[gvaldez3]

Ran over a cast-net this past weekend which wrapped tight around the shaft and prop. While cutting off the net, there appeared to be the remnants of a plactic ring on the shaft between the strut and prop. Looking online at Nautiqueparts.com, I don't see a plastic ring part there. Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a plastic ring in that area? Thanks for any help.

[crobi2]

No plastic ring. Could it be melted plastic from the net?


EDIT: hopefully not part of your cutless/strut bearing/bushing.

[gvaldez3]

Thanks Rob! What a great group of people

The plastic remnant had a greater diameter than the shaft. Almost the same as the strut. I was thinking maybe the plastic ring between the strut and prop kept the bearing in the strut

[crobi2]

Thanks Rob! What a great group of people

The plastic remnant had a greater diameter than the shaft. Almost the same as the strut. I was thinking maybe the plastic ring between the strut and prop kept the bearing in the strut

Cutless bearing/bushing is a press fit with some set screws in the side of the strut. Depending of what year your boat is, the bushing consist of a brass shell with a grooved rubber insert for the bushing surface (why it must always be lubricated with water when spinning). There are currently some all plastic cutless bushings available, but I don't know of any kind of plastic ring to hold them in.

To test the cutless, grab the prop and try to jerk the propshaft up and down and side to side in the bushing to see it there is too much play.

[DanielC]

There is no plastic ring ahead of of the strut bearing. It is pretty common that if a ski rope gets wrapped, and pulls tight, the heat and friction melt the rope, and turn it in to a solid piece of plastic.
The same thing could happen if you catch a net on the propeller, only difference being the net is not as obvious as your own rope, and you try to power through the slight drag, and do a better job of melting the remnants of the net.

You may need to pull the propeller shaft to remove the solid plastic ring. It will restrict water flow into the shaft bearing.

[gvaldez3]

Thanks guys,
I did remove the plastic remnants. As for the "ski rope" effect, the cast net did a thin black nylon cord wrapped up in it, so there is a chance that the ring was formed by heat and the cord. And I will check the prop for excess play/movement in the shaft.

Thanks again!

[Whitetail15]

I just posted about this, I did not search first, but mine looks like a rubber seal. not melted plastic that formed a ring. I think I got the melted nylon out, but left with a rubber seal. maybe I am wrong and should did it out.

[sandslot]

I have replaced my strut bushing on my 2003 SANTE, but there were NO little brass screws holding in the bushing.....and no indication there ever were any. Is it true this one does not need them, or should I drill/tap some in?

[shag]

Can you use a dremmel tool and carefully cut the plastic off? Prob easier then pulling anything...

[nukemustang]

I have replaced my strut bushing on my 2003 SANTE, but there were NO little brass screws holding in the bushing.....and no indication there ever were any. Is it true this one does not need them, or should I drill/tap some in?

There are no holes in the strut anywhere? I am at work right now otherwise I would go and look, but I remember the strut having two set screws to hold the strut bushing(s) from rotating. I am not sure if they are necessary, but it does seem strange.

Tim

[sandslot]

Correct, no holes. Never seen another? It looks like there are some dimples where a tool might make them, but no holes. I think Ill put two screws in there....

[nukemustang]

on the "other" correct craft site, there are people that have had struts with no set screws and have drilled and tapped it to hold set screws. They did remark that the bearings are sort of press fit in there and the set screws are more for piece of mind, not actually to hold the bearings in there.

Tim