Trolling motor pivot pin

[jasper60103]

I have a 2005 MinnKota Vector 55 3x trolling motor.
The problem I have is the pivot pin (#33) tends to slide out. I just tap it back in place but it’s getting to be annoying.
Any ideas to solve this?

 

[roscoe]

Which part number is the pivot pin ?

I thought I was gonna love my 80# 3x.
After I got it, well, I never did fall in love with it.
Tried it on 3 boats over the course of a few years before I decided to sell it.
Couldn't sell it for even $150. Now it sits in the shed, collecting dust for a dozen years.

 

[dwco5051]

I would just chuck it in the lathe and knul one end. You could just lay it on a hard surface and put a couple of punch marks around one end and reinsert it all the way, smooth end first, and tap it in all way. A common way to repair what should be an interference fit. Be certain the center section has no corrosion on the bearing surfaces.

 

[roscoe]

Ok, sorry for previous post, seems I missed where you said part "33" in your post.

Just went out to look at mine.
What dwco recommended, with punch dents at one end seems like an easy fix. Just be aware that the rough dimple edges may scrape away at the aluminum casting in another decade.

Is it the pin that has worn, or the casting? Hard to tell if a new pin would fix this or not.

 

[dwco5051]

Add to previous post with a sharp center punch.

 

[jasper60103]

I would just chuck it in the lathe and knul one end. You could just lay it on a hard surface and put a couple of punch marks around one end and reinsert it all the way, smooth end first, and tap it in all way. A common way to repair what should be an interference fit. Be certain the center section has no corrosion on the bearing surfaces.

Great idea. Thanks all.