TM 'Binding'?

1649 Views 19 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Al Wolbach, Feb 6, 2008

Bubba

Discussion Starter · Feb 1, 2008

Ok guys, I had this on the other site, so I thought i'd give an update. While I was in the process of installing my DF yesterday, I checked out my trolling motor problem too. I got it turning good like it should and everything, but its still tight as crap to pull up and push down.

I tried to point to the "problem" spots where its binding...I looked to see if it could just be "twisted" causing it to bind, but there isn't any room on either side where it slides down it...its like it just isn't clearanced enough fit down in there. Once you get it past its "resting slot" it swings on over fine, then until it gets to where its almost laying down and you have to really push down on it to get it to latch. Heres the pic pointing to those spots....

Anyone know what the problem could be? Would it hurt just to take a dremel to that plastic piece up front and just clearance it a little more to allow it to fit down in there easier?

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Brownfish03

· #2 · Feb 1, 2008

Bubba, maybe Im way off but, have you tried a little lube on that? Maybe some marine greese would help a bit

Bubba

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 1, 2008

Brownfish03' post='4187' date='Feb 1 2008 said:
Bubba, maybe Im way off but, have you tried a little lube on that? Maybe some marine greese would help a bit

Well, The thing is, It's not really "lube" areas that are giving me problems. It pivots fine, its just like the base isn't clearanced enough for the "arm" to fit down in/over it.

Brownfish03

· #4 · Feb 1, 2008

does it appear to be bent?

Softbaitmaker

· #5 · Feb 1, 2008

I would not be doing any maching on it until I was 100% sure that there is not another problem. I also have a Motor Guide and mine sticks occassional and I put some WD 40 on it and it gets easy again. Also you may want to look at the adjustments as to where the motor shaft is actually locked down on the gator mount. If it is not all the way down I would release the lock downs and put the trolling motor all the way down in the mount. That should make it lock down easier when you place it in the water and also easier to pull back out if it is hanging on that plastic lip on front of gator mount. Just some suggestions that I did to make mine work easier......

NOTE when putting transducer cable on trolling motor shaft make sure that the cable is in the slot on the upper end of Shaft lock before tightening it down or you will smash the TD cable and it will not work. Now that is from experience and cost of new cable.........

and an old mans lack of paying attention.......

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MTBROWNING

· #6 · Feb 1, 2008

Bubba it is supposed to be alittle tight ,that way it doesn't come down when you are bouncing down the lake.

FrankD

· #7 · Feb 1, 2008

Bubba, the bracket is probably torqed out of shape. It could be that the deck isn't exactly level. I have to shim one of my bolts to square up the bracket or I will have the same problem.

Try loosening the bolts one at a time and see if it improves. If you loosen one and it improves the situation you have found the culprit. Shim it til it allows free movement.

Frank

Bubba

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 1, 2008

Softbaitmaker' post='4209' date='Feb 1 2008 said:
Also you may want to look at the adjustments as to where the motor shaft is actually locked down on the gator mount. If it is not all the way down I would release the lock downs and put the trolling motor all the way down in the mount. That should make it lock down easier when you place it in the water and also easier to pull back out if it is hanging on that plastic lip on front of gator mount.

I don't quite understand what you're saying here. Are you saying slide the TM all the way down to the head(basically making the TM run deeper in the water)? How would that make it easier to pull up/down?

Thanks FrankD....Charger had mentioned this, but I actually just now seen in my mind what you guys are saying. I'll have to check that tonight. Thanks

snoot

· #9 · Feb 1, 2008

They are designed to "cam" over to prevent them deploying in rough waters with the biggun going. I might be in error but if you do run the head lower in the water it will solve your interference issues at least on the bow end.

snoot

· #10 · Feb 3, 2008

Bubba' post='4238' date='Feb 1 2008 said:
I don't quite understand what you're saying here. Are you saying slide the TM all the way down to the head(basically making the TM run deeper in the water)? How would that make it easier to pull up/down?

Thanks FrankD....Charger had mentioned this, but I actually just now seen in my mind what you guys are saying. I'll have to check that tonight. Thanks

Bubba, what Doug is talkin about is the end of the gator mount. (Bracket that is actually mounted to the boat and the trolling motor lays on in the stored position) When the trolling motor is pulled up to be stored, the end of the gator mount is rounded or at a slant to slide the actual Motor housing up and into the stored position. If the shaft length is shorter, the trolling motor housing will have to slide up more, therefore causing more pressure on that angle. If the shaft length is longer, when you go to store, it doesn't have to travel up the incline as far, therefore, less pressure.

Keep in mind, like the other guys have said, you want it to fit kind of snug to keep it from popping loose while running down the lake. Having an Automatic Trolling Motor Deployment isn't good at all while your moving!!

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Bubba

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 3, 2008

I guess i'm just gonna have to get one of you guys to show me what your talking about. Because I have no clue what your saying...lol.

Oh yeah....I tried loosening my mounting screws and it didn't change anything.

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snoot

· #12 · Feb 4, 2008

ok Bubba, Bear with me, This is a crude explination.

In the picture "A" is the end of the gator mount where the actual Motor housing rests. "B" is the clamp you can loosin to raise or lower the height of the trolling motor. If you look at "A" you can see the inclind plain I was telling you about. If you lengthen the Trolling motor, the less it will have to ride up that slant when stowing. Therefore less pressure. I know I've got you really confused now!

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GOTABIG1

· #13 · Feb 4, 2008

dont know anything bout it bubba but i hope you can figure it out

Jon the Fisherman

· #14 · Feb 4, 2008

When you come down here Bubba, we can take a look at it.

Bubba

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 4, 2008

Thanks Jon, But i'm still not exactly sure I understand.

Thanks JTF, You'll have to remind me to get you to take a look at it.

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MILKSHAKE

· #16 · Feb 4, 2008

Hang in there Bubba. If you're still having problems remind everyone at the g2g and maybe one of us will be able to look at it and help you out with it.

snoot

· #17 · Feb 4, 2008

Bubba' post='7309' date='Feb 4 2008 said:
Thanks Jon, But i'm still not exactly sure I understand.

Thanks JTF, You'll have to remind me to get you to take a look at it.

no Worries Bubba, I ain't worth a crap at trying to explain anything anyways.

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Al Wolbach

· #18 · Feb 5, 2008

I believe I had the same problem with my motorguide. When I tried to put the motor into the water the mount would not drop into the locked position and was a girl to unlock to pull the motor out of the water. I filed a little off the rounded part that the locking pin rides down to lock and then I greased that same area and it cured my problem. When I place the motor into the stowed position I still have to push down on the head to lock it down. I'm not sure what happened to cause the problem but this cured it and it hasn't reoccured in the last two years. I hope this makes sense......................Al

Bubba

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 5, 2008

Al Wolbach' post='8409' date='Feb 5 2008 said:
I believe I had the same problem with my motorguide. When I tried to put the motor into the water the mount would not drop into the locked position and was a girl to unlock to pull the motor out of the water. I filed a little off the rounded part that the locking pin rides down to lock and then I greased that same area and it cured my problem. When I place the motor into the stowed position I still have to push down on the head to lock it down. I'm not sure what happened to cause the problem but this cured it and it hasn't reoccured in the last two years. I hope this makes sense......................Al

Yes! That's exactly what i've had in mind that would fix mine! Thanks Al!

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Al Wolbach

· #20 · Feb 6, 2008

You are very welcome, Bubba. Let us know if that cures your problem................Al

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