I replaced the shaft and stuffing box this year. PSS went in easy, but I had to grind some clearance for the bellows. (I'll need to look up log tube size in my notes. Bought it from Performance Yachts). Putting the new cutless went easy with 5/8" threaded rod, large washers, grease on the rod (NOT the bearing) and big pipe wrenches to tighten it. (put rod through bearing and strut, washer and nut on each end and tighten to pull them together). I also filed a slight chamfer on the edge of the bearing going in. I wouldn't hammer against the strut. Also, make sure the shaft keyway that the seal-flange slides over doesn't have any burrs that could catch and nick the o-rings. It's a tight fit.
