Motorguide hard to guide.

[fire22driver]

I have a Motorguide Tour series (digital) with cable steering.  Is there some way to adjust the steering tension?  Right now I almost have to stand up to operate it.  As far as I can tell the only adjustment is under the foot pedal where the cables go in.  Am I missing something or is that the right area to be looking in?  This is a brand new motor, just installed.  Also, how deep should the prop be in the water?

Thanks to all for any tips.

[Ben]

Don't go pulling that thing appart like that link suggested.  Being a new motor, the bearing should not need greased.  Too loosen the tension on the bearings, which I doubt is the problem, just loosen the the set screws holding the lower bearing collar, move it down a few thousanths and tighten  the set screws.  Even before doing this make sure it's hasn't slipped and actually is too loose letting the motor bind.

How does it steer when not under power? If you can work steer it back and forth with with no problems when off or running slow, there's nothing mechanically wrong with the motor.  If it's only hard to steer when under medium to heavy power, welcome the the world of MG foot controls.    I've never owned one that when running on max, I didn't have to let off the switch to make a significant change in direction.  Let off the power, make you direction change and mash the button again.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Ben just described my week at Fork with a rental.  Let up, turn, power on again.  Lame.  I'm sticking with MK.

[senile1]

I don't know about the latest Motorguides but my last one from the 90s performed exactly as everyone else has stated in this thread.  I now own a Minn Kota.  

[x-trued]

I have always owned Motor Guides, and assumed that the difficult steering under full power was a result of propo torque.  Apparently Minn Kota has resolved this issue.  How do they avoid the prop torque issue?

[senile1]

When you set the Minn Kota at the highest speed you do run into torque issues but the pedal isn't as difficult to move, at least in my experience.  However, the Motorguide I owned came with a used boat.  I assumed that the pedal was difficult to operate because it was worn out.  After reading some of the responses here, I'm not so sure now.  I bought the Minn Kota based on quality for the price, not because I didn't like Motorguide.  

[Guest JoshKeller]

I had the same problem with my motorguide until I pull the cover off and put a few drops of 2 cycle outboard oil on the bearing.

[x-trued]

Which bearing would this be, on the pedal or the motor?

[Guest JoshKeller]

when you pop the cover off the motor head, you'll see a metal bearing.  Thats the one.

[fire22driver]

Well, exchanged the hard to stear TM for a new one, and what a difference.  Never did find anything wrong with the older one.  Thanks to all for your ideas...

[just_another_newbe]

I've got an 82lb digital pulling my 21' sprint around and I don't notice a difference in pedal stiffness at any speed including high. it is very easy to steer under any condition. actually, I think it's too easy.

[George Welcome]

Steering tension on the foot pedal: Check for a bent shaft. If it's new take it back.

[JR]

If you haven't gotten this problem fixed yet, You may want to contact Motor Guide.  There is a recall for new cables on their 82 pound motors.  

I just got my motor back from being repaired at a service center.

JR