MinnKota steering motor replacement

[StriperChaser]

I have a 55AP MinnKota Trolling Motor and the cable broke right at the steering motor housing from wear and tear at the bend. I made a quick repair with wire crimp connectors at the boat ramp and right now it works fine but this is a short term fix since there was so little wire to work with. I called MinnKota and asked if it was possible to rewire the motor inside the housing and they said it was not. After receiving the replacement motor I see its only a solder connection but the plastic housing still has to be splt to get to the motor inside.

Has anyone taken the steering motor housing apart and if so what is the best process? There are six screws but I assume they have used some sort of sealant bewteen the two pieces. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: MinnKota steering motor replacement

If you can get the housing apart without damaging it, there are lots of sealants that can be used to re-seal it. RTV silicone is just one. 3M makes a number of sealants as well. I would certainly go for it. If the effort fails you would have been forced to buy the assembly anyway so what is there to lose. If you succeed, post the procedure here and you will be a hero in someone elses eyes.

 

[StriperChaser]

Re: MinnKota steering motor replacement

Right now all is working fine. I hate to damage it trying to take it apart because I will be without a trolling motor. But I don't want to be working on the trolling motor at the boat ramp when I should be fishing.

If I'm sucessful I will post the results.

 

[StriperChaser]

Re: MinnKota steering motor replacement

Replacing a Minnkota steering motor.

1. Disconnect the main power to the trolling motor unit

2. Remove the four screws holding the right and left side plates on the trolling motor base. One side will come completely off and the other will have the coiled cable running though it. Just sit the one with the coiled cable to the side; there is no need to disconnect the coiled cable connections.

3. Lift off the center PD/AP housing; it may be necessary to unplug the red wire to the battery gauge due its short length.

4. Unplug the steering motor black and white wires inside the center PD/AP housing. Loosen the connector holding the steering motor cable to the center PD/AP housing and pull the wires through the hole.

5. Detach the steering motor housing from the base by driving the pivot pin through one side of the base and steering motor housing. There are no clips to remove. Once you drive the pin to one side you can pull it out the other side with pliers.

6. Lift the complete trolling motor shaft, drive motor, steering motor housing and control head off the base.

7. Remove the six screws holding the two halves of the steering motor housing together. Score the seam of the halves with a razor knife to break the painted seal.

8. Gently tap the two steering motor housing halves apart. There are guide pins inside the housing that align the two parts. Leave all drive motor gears in place.

9. Remove the steering motor. It is not attached and freely rides in the cradle of the housing. The rubber waterproof wiring connector for the old steering motor will pull free through the cable hole in the housing.

10. Set the new steering motor back in place being sure to align the gears. Push the wiring cable back through the housing and set the waterproof seal.

11. Reassemble the steering motor housing being sure that all gears and notched sleeves properly align allowing the housing to fit back together. Use a light bead of silicone to seal the two halves. Gently tap the housing to ensure a good seal.

12. Install the six screws back into the steering motor housing

13. Lay the trolling motor shaft, drive motor, steering motor housing and control head back onto the base.

14. Align the steering motor housing and base plate holes then drive the pivot pin back in place.

15. Insert the new steering motor cable though the center PD/AP housing and reconnect the black and white wires.

16. Snap the center PD/AP housing back onto the base plate.

17. Replace both side plates to the trolling motor base.