Motorguide trolling motor clunk?

Hughsonbassin · Post by **Hughsonbassin** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:37 pm

Have a newer motorguide "freshwater series" 71 lb thrust trolling motor and everytime you go to engage it on anything over halfway the shaft mount clunks in the mount. Thought it was just normal till I fished out of a buddies boat with a motorguide tour edition and that thing was rock solid. His motor does have springs inside the mount and mine doesn't? Is the springs what keeps it from clunking? Is there anything to cure this other than getting a whole new trolling motor? What should I do? My motor has the gatorflex 360 mount. I keep spooking fish when I move up to bed fish. Any help will be appreciated.

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:36 am

Check to make sure that the mounting bolts are tight. If they aren't tight they will slowly destroy the fiberglas were the bolts go through. If you cant figure it out take it to Hook Line and Sinker in the Antioch area and if you are in the Sacramento area Sunnny's Marine Electronics off of Arden way can help you.

Terry

Hughsonbassin · Post by **Hughsonbassin** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:07 am

I checked everything and it all seems to be tight the clunk is in the head where the shaft goes through and is held on by those pins where it pivots when you stow it. Got online and a lot of people say they have had the same problem but no fixes were posted.

FATGUY · Post by **FATGUY** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:04 am

i had the same problem with my motor guide. my fix was to trade it in on a minn kota .. no more clunks ... just my .02 bob g

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:32 am

im having the same problem with mine and am ready to just buy a new TM. I tried to tighten up all the bolts nothing helps.

miklanderson · Post by **miklanderson** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:15 am

Same problem with mine too. Bolts are all tight...

Rob D · Post by **Rob D** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:34 am

I think all Motorguides eventually do that, this is the first Motorguide that I owned, will be the last too. I'll be going back to Minkota as soon as this one wears out. The only thing I can suggest is to keep the dial turned down as far as you can.

Scott D. · Post by **Scott D.** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:41 am

Rob, there you go again, just trying to be more like your little brother!!! Hee Hee.

Simon · Post by **Simon** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:25 pm

On the shaft there is a collar. They get loose and cause the "clunk". You will need to lower it. The collar takes a allen wrench. Loosen it, carefull not to lose an bearings. haha ! Pull down on the lower unit and push up on the collar and tighten...good luck.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:33 pm

He's an authorized service tech for Motorguide and he's always been very willing to discuss such problems with fishermen. He's also one of the sponsors of this website.

925-625-2441
info@hookproshop.com

.....NaCl