Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

[mav6759]

Has anyone changed out the lower unit on a trolling motor?I have tried to get the lower unit off, of a Minnkota 40lb and I was told that it screws off?Well I have put a pipe wrench to that lower unit and it is not moving?.Am I missing something??

Mav6759

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

why are you changing the lower unit????

 

[mav6759]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

The uint in my opinion has gone bad. When a man rowing a Jon boat can beat me back to the dock and my motor is on the highest it can go, it needs changing in my opinion... LOL..I am just not getting the power out of the motor. That motor should be moving my boat a little faster then what it is. I see these motors changed out a lot but I'm tearing up the pole that holds the motor. It got to be a trick to this....

Mavv6759

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

There is probably and epoxy-like sealer used on the threads to keep water out of the motor. It will probably take the heat of a very hot hair dryer to loosen its grip. But then corrosion could be the problem as well. Before changing a motor, have you load tested the battery to make sure it's ok?

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

I'm no expert but it's been my experience that the lower unit (motor) either works or it doesn't. If it's working but lacks power, I'd suspect the battery or battery wireing first , then the control circuts in the motor head. Teh lower unit would be my last suspect.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

whoa nelly, alot of things could be causing that, checked your voltage coming off your battery lately?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

I've also seen so much fish line wrapped around the prop shaft between the prop and the motor housing that it caused the motor to slow down. This also has a tendency to eat up the seal and allow water into the motor. Remove the prop and if that's an issue it will be readily apparent.

 

[mav6759]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

All that you guys have mentioned I have checked..I even brought two brand new batteries...ran new 8g wire...and a new trolling motor plug...Its 40lb thrust...and my boat is a 84 17.5 fiberglass range aztec..its a pretty heavy boat....The only thing I didn't check was the panel board that all the wires go into...Now the panel board is about as old as the boat... but the rest of the switches work just fine,,live wells,,,lights,,,pumps...and battery tester. So I think it's the motor,,,I'm thinking that some water got into the motor and damage the bushings or something. So I went on ebay and found a 50lb motor...I was told that it would work with my unit.. the trolling motor is about 7 years old according to Minnkota.... It's funny when I see a follow fisherman with a 30lb thrust pass me like I'm standing still.

mav6759

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

Have you taken the unit apart and checked it out? I wouldnt trust some random person on ebay, it is ebay you know.

When we first got out boat we had to take the unit apart. The previous owner said he often forgot and left it down then started up the engine and tried to go down the lake(he was old).

It had some water in it but after cleaning the bushing and laying some grease to it, it was good as new. Been using it for over 10 years now.

 

[rodeohog]

Re: Changing a trolling motor lower Unit

I have the same problem, ie, need to change the motor on my trolling motor. Did you ever find a way to do this?? I know the lower unit is on there with a thread locker compound, so how do you break this grip? I bought the whole lower unit rather than fool with the repair individual components but have this same problem.

rodeohog