Strut-Pro® Cutless® Bearing Replacement Tool

Has anyone used one of these? I found a link on CCFan.com where it was referenced (http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22611&PID=284132&title=borrow-a-strut-pro-removal-tool#284132), but the thread ended with no further information.

Because of the V-drive being in the way, I really don't want to take the coupler off and remove the shaft if I don't have to. I can just picture myself trying to get a 500 degree F coupler back under there without mishap. Just doing an alignment with the V-drive there is a pain.

If it weren't for all the trouble of getting the coupler off and back on successfully, just pulling the shaft and cutting the cutless out with a hacksaw would probably be easiest. I can even see the possibility of obtaining one of these tools and STILL having to pull the shaft to get the cutless out.

SNobsessed wrote: How hard would it be to pull the strut? Maybe an option for you. That contraption looks pretty expensive for a 1 time use.

I agree except you still need to get under the damn engine!

My understanding of the tool is they can be difficult. The wall of the cutlass is so thin there's not much to grab onto. I have heard that when used to press the new cutlass in the chances of damage are real high. Pressing the old out, I have heard that they can get stuck in the strut. The tool must be kept in extremely good condition. This means you may only get a couple "presses" out of it before you need to purchase a new mandrel.

I really appreciate all of the knowledgeable replies. That's exactly what I was looking for.

I think that my problem is I am running in shallow water and was getting too close to a sandy bottom. In one year the cutless went from snug to slightly loose with the wear appearing at the bottom only, evenly from front to back so I don't think it's an alignment issue.

Once I realized what was happening I stayed to deeper water and really haven't noticed much more wear in the past 6 months. I am afraid though that I will keep needing to replace cutless bearings more frequently than otherwise because of the sandy bottom. Hence the strut-pro tool. But I too fear some of the possible failures mentioned with that tool.

The question I guess is "do I fear the strut-pro tool more than I fear popping the coupler off the shaft and later having to heat it to put it back on (underneath the transmission/v-drive).

Can anyone tell me how the job compares to say doing the tie rod ends, pitman and idler on a car or say the ball joints on a car, or a control arm bushing?

The job looks fairly straight forward on a direct drive, but getting down to it on a v-drive is gonna be real difficult.

maybe the shaft is worn too and a new cutlass will improve, or not the play.

Yeah, you guys are right. For about the same price I can buy a double taper shaft with coupler. And after doing all of that work upside down in the bilge, doing alignments might seem easier.

I guess if you're going to own one of these boats as they age, you probably really need to be able to take out the prop shaft at will.    That's why I posted this under maintenance.