trolling motor - should it be bent like this??

[Scott C]

hey fellas,

got a new trolling motor the other day (ran the old one into a rock bar....boh)  got it mounted up today, and when i put it in the 'stored' position, i noticed this bend in the shaft.  Doesn't look right to me!!  It one of those 'indestructible' shafts from minn kota, but still..this curve can't be right can it?  Did i do something wrong??  Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Scott

[SudoomFisher]

Aren't those shafts designed to flex a little to absorb impact? Check to see if the bend is still there when its deployed, then you may have a problem.

[The Next KVD]

That isn't right.  I have a Minn Kota Edge too and mine doesn't bow that much, it has a little but not like yours.

[skunked_again]

right were the arrow is pointing is where id look for an adjustment. when i run my TM into rocks and crap i "change the adjustments" and in that area where i have to re-adjust the unit to sit right.

[fishfordollars]

Looks like a new shaft is in your near future.

[Scott C]

Thanks for the input guys!

The shaft is perfectly straight when in the down position...so it definitely flexes back.  I'm slightly concerned about the bearings at the joint there going bad from too much force on on side of it...

I checked the motor for an adjustment like, but on this motor, there isn't one.  I know what you mean because the one i just took off had that adjustment as well.  

Could it have anything to do with the collar that holds the shaft in place?  I took the motor off of the mount to put the mount on the boat...made it much easier, but now i wonder if i didn't mess something up by doing that??

FFD...i sure hope not, but hey, i got a 2 year warranty that started about 5 days ago, so if so, oh well!!  

[Wayne P.]

Don't worry about the bearings. You aren't rotating the shaft when it is stored.

[skunked_again]

its not the worst idea in the world to email this pic to minn kota and see what they think.

[BigBassGuy]

It looks to me like either the bolts on the hinge were tightened before everything was aligned properly or the holes for those bolts were drilled out of position slightly. Both of these conditions would prevent the mount from straightening out properly.

Try this, loosen the two bolts holding the hinges together and see if it straightens out. If it doesn't help call MinnKota, its definetly not right.

[HossFly]

use it, ABUSE it, and check back in 2 years....

[wartoys]

I have the same motor and mine is the same way, I emailed MK and they said it's correct. I have not had any problems with mine.

[TIEDROPE]

I just purchased one and mine looks the same way also, its straight when in the operating position so I'm guessing they give it a little play for knocking stumps.

[Bud]

Their is nothing wrong with it.  They are suppose to have some flex.    Bud

[Kurlee]

I just finished putting the same trolling motor on  my boat and it looks the same way. I'm glad I found this thread, I thought that I had screwed it up.

Keven

[M-117]

dang this thread is old but the same problem persists today, my new minn kota edge 45 does the same thing and its got me worred. im about to take out a grinder and shorten the height on the rails by the prop, repaint with some rust proof paint and sleep easy. gotta lose the plastic covering tho but whatever. 

[NoShoes]

My fortrex has some bend but nothing like that.