I bought a refurbished Motorguide W75 for what I believe to have been a really good price. Column (shaft) needs to be longer, is a 48" so I am ordering a 60" - is on a fish & ski. A 60" column is only $37.00 and looking at the parts diagram, looks like there is just one bolt holding the head on and then the bottom of the column is threaded, screwing into the transmission assembly. Parts Diagram is here if anyone is interested
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc2/Motorguide/MotorGuide%20Wireless%20Series/9B920032%20%26%20Up/Complete%20Trolling%20Motor(Fresh%20Water%20Models)/parts.html
I searched google and only came across one thread about it on a catfish forum (I did register and asked there, couldn't pm the guy) I am a diy type of guy, but would just like to find any info about this before I break anything. Seems to me from looking at the diagram, I would just take the head off by that one bolt, then maybe wrap a heavy rag around the column and use a pipe wrench to twist it loose. Disconnect the wires from the head, splice longer wire on, install new column using some type of the best marine grade sealant I can find to insure it does not leak, connect wires back to head, mount head back on.
My only real concern is in that thread I mentioned, the guy said he could not get the column to turn when he tried to take it off, then never posted back how it went. I would guess it just needed some good torque due to the sealant, but ....never know so thought I'd ask.
thanks for any info
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc2/Motorguide/MotorGuide%20Wireless%20Series/9B920032%20%26%20Up/Complete%20Trolling%20Motor(Fresh%20Water%20Models)/parts.html
I searched google and only came across one thread about it on a catfish forum (I did register and asked there, couldn't pm the guy) I am a diy type of guy, but would just like to find any info about this before I break anything. Seems to me from looking at the diagram, I would just take the head off by that one bolt, then maybe wrap a heavy rag around the column and use a pipe wrench to twist it loose. Disconnect the wires from the head, splice longer wire on, install new column using some type of the best marine grade sealant I can find to insure it does not leak, connect wires back to head, mount head back on.
My only real concern is in that thread I mentioned, the guy said he could not get the column to turn when he tried to take it off, then never posted back how it went. I would guess it just needed some good torque due to the sealant, but ....never know so thought I'd ask.
thanks for any info