strut bearing replacement

Having just replaced the strut bushing on my '87..... Unless you have alignment issues or the strut is bent I wouldn't remove it. It makes the realignment much more complicated.
Open the back of the boat up and drop the rudder, remove your prop and then you will need to remove the shaft from the collar at the transmission. 4 pieces of threaded rod nuts and washers and a socket smaller than 1" and patience will press the shaft thru the collar
Then u can slide the shaft out.
Remove and press in your new strut bushings, now at this time u can easily measure, cut and replace the packing for your rudder and shaft packing glands.
Slide the shaft back in and heat the collar on your grill or outdoor cooker or in the oven. This expands the collar so it will slide over the shaft. Oven mitts or welding gloves are highly recemended.
Visit the Alignment video an adjust your drive line accordingly!
Reinstall the other parts, water test and adjust the packing glands on the rudder and the shaft!
Go boating and have fun!

ok i removed the rudder, and shaft. the bearing in it looks to be a 2 piece bearing. any tips on removing the bearing or is cutting it the best way?

it wasnt easy at all. took me about 2hrs using the bolt and socket trick but i finally got it.

ok I got a problem. when I was pressing in the strut bearing I got it almost all the way in lacking 1/4 to 3/16 of an inch from being full in when it stopped. it actually flared the end out as I was pressing it in using threaded rod and large washer.my question is can I just cut off the little bit flush with the strut and be fine? I don't know why it quit moving, I didn't see any burs or anything that would cause this. I don't see why 3/16 less would cause any harm but what do you guys think? should I pull it out and try again? plus those bearing aren't cheap.