The tool assembly is now installed and you are about to remove the bearing.  It is now very important to apply equal pressure to both threaded rods.  Begin by turning the welded nuts clockwise.  This will compress the puller assembly.   

Once the slack has been taken you will need to make final adjustments and inspections.  With the tool snug gently tap the aft. yoke upwards so the bearing will clear the aft. horseshoe as the puller begins to press out the bearing.  This is very important.  There must be clearance for the cutless bearing to slide out.  Watch carefully.  If the puller assembly gets tight without the bearing moving stop and examine the cause.  (Also re examine to make positive there are no set screws securing the bearing into the strut).

Be sure the collet seams are on top and bottom, the forward horseshoe is in direct contact with the collets and inspect to insure the collets are properly aligned with the bearing. 

Proceed with caution.  Turn each nut no more than five cranks, then the other.  Watch closely to insure alignment remains consistent between the forward and aft yokes.  As you continue turning the nuts the tool will force the collet through the strut, removing the worn bearing. 

Once the bearing is free it can easily be slid back and over the propeller shaft.  Loosen the threaded rods and remove the collets which are now inside the strut.  This might require tapping the collets to free them from the strut.  Holes are provided in the collets for this purpose.

Installing A New Cutless® Bearing

Installing the new Cutless® bearing is basically a reverse action of the removal process.  Switch horseshoes: To install a new strut  bearing attach the shaft diameter horseshoe (which was previously used on the forward yoke) to the aft. yoke.  This is necessary so the horseshoe makes maximum contact with the new bearing being installed.  Next attach the larger horseshoe to the forward yoke.  Note:  Some struts have a steep rake angle which may be necessary to rotate the forward horseshoe 180 degrees before attaching to the forward yoke (the forward yoke has four holes for this purpose). This will provide the needed clearance so the forward horseshoe does not contact the vertical rib of the strut.   Slide the new bearing over the shaft and gently start it inside the strut.  In most cases the new bearing can be easily pressed part way into the strut by hand.  Begin compressing the threaded rods until the new bearing is in place.