Adjusting cables on the Tour model Motorguide

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:23 am

Yesterday on the lake the front cable came off the pullie wheel (for lack of a techinical name) and caused me to stop fishing and start fixing. I think it may of happen when I put the TM up at the last fishing hole. After a half hour I finally got the cable back on the pullie wheel. Thanks to the swiss army and got the cable seemingly tight. Luckily, I didn't have another problem for the rest of the day. When I got home I started looking it over and found that the cable flexs once the steering hits the stops, making it easy to fall off again.

Can some one explain to me how to and how tight the cable needs to be. I kept adjusting and running the steering into the stops until the slack loop seemed as though it would not loop enough to hop over the pullie side guards and still not so tight as a banjo string. I suspect there is a natural stretch that the cable is experiencing, and a new cable maybe required soon.

I don't know if this is the right way to adjust the TM cable. Any tips on the adjustment, and care and feeding of my tour edition would help. Any thoughts on longivity of these cable? Thanks in advance.

Pete Marino · Post by **Pete Marino** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:11 am

He had the same problems with his trolling motor. His was looser than a crack whore on week long bender but he fixed it and now its fine.

Pete

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Wed May 03, 2006 11:37 am

Ben:
Talk to Nick over at the Trolling Motor DR. Also that is why I went to Minn Kota Digital, no more cable problems.
jb

The TROLLING MOTOR DOCTOR
3720 Industry Avenue Suite 105
Lakewood CA 90712
800-944-9446

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Wed May 03, 2006 3:00 pm

John, I can appreaciate that , but I like the fact I know where my T motor is pointed without looking at it, and having the quick response to change direction and right now. Holding in ruff water where your bow can push you to the port or starboard in one wave, make the cable system superior to a drive motor for staying in place. Maybe thats why my cable is stretched.(har!) (':(')

I had a Minn Kota and it's nice to operate it from anywhere in the boat. Just doesn't work for me anymore. I love my Tour Edition. It rock solid performance and metal case has taken a few hundred fishing trips without any problems. Never the less I'll have a replacement cable if it actually does break. And it's easier for me to replace on the water than a steering motor in a Minn Kota and I'll be fishing again in 30 minutes. I just want to feel good about the adjustment of the cables.

Lets face it if you work it hard everything will break. Catching the problem and making sure your craft is in good, safe working order everytime you launch is every Anglers responsibility to his partner and love ones.

Thanks John........ Looking forward to the 20th should be an awesome event. Fishing is wide open everywhere now.

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Thu May 04, 2006 4:45 am

As far as MotorGuide v MinnKota is concerned I just had too much trouble wioth the cables constantly coming off of hte pulleys and it wasn't just one it was three different trolling motors in a row. That's why I went to MinnKota. I'm one my third one now and have not had any problems whatsoever with them.

Did you talk with Nick? He can and will help you with the adjustments.
jb

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Thu May 04, 2006 5:55 am

I've had trouble with my cable and pullies also. I've had to fix them at least a half dozen times. I adjust the tension on the cable with the nut and sleve you find against the foot petal. It's a pain but seems to work. I guess the cable just slowly stretches over time and with use.

Ben M · Post by **Ben M** » Thu May 04, 2006 8:41 am

He gave me a pretty good idea of what kind of torque to put on the cable, mine have been way too loose for a long time. If any of you guys need to know.

This procedure is not in any book, but is based on 2 seperate conversation, one with Nick the TM Dr. The other a cable manufacturer specialist and if your not sure call me 661-702-5477 I'll happy to explain it better.

Do this out of the water. Remove foot pedal (unscrew from deck) and turn over and check the pedal pulleys for cracks or chipping. Make sure they are snug and not wobbly. Next think low "e" string on a guitar keep tighing until the loop stops hoping at the rear pulley when you hit that stop gently, by driving the pedal with the motor shaft. Then loosen 1/2 turn on either adjustment screw collar. Nick perfers you to point the motor straight and pedal at parallel with the deck, to determine which cable needs adjust ment if not both.

It's a pull me, pull me loop system that's why they stretch. New cables need to be adjusted until the strands have tighen together. A loose cable will break before a properly adjusted one will, because of the snap or whip action on the loose cable and or will pop off the pulley or break it and wear out on the shaft. Also make sure that there is free play when you park the motor on the mount so as not to put either cable in a binding torque. The shaft position may have to be turned slightly to accommodate these adjustments.

Hope this helps anyone who may have had this problem. I'm also planning to purchase a backup set, because Nick said the price doubles on the lake(har!). To order, you need to know if you have a 5 or 6 footer. Measure from the foot pedal to the T motor head and round up to 5 or 6 foot, meaning it will be up to 6 inches longer than your measurment. knowing this Nick will be happy to send you the right set of 2 cables.

Hope this helps anyone having this problem. Due to the responses, no one knew.

rockman448us · Post by **rockman448us** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:00 pm

can someone if there is a way to make it easier to steer the trolling motor. Seems like i get wore out trying to go where i want it to go

senkoboy · Post by **senkoboy** » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:04 am

Hey,

I have a couple of these and a few years ago i purchased upgraded metal wheels with bearings in them from Motorguide. The groove is deeper in these and it eliminated the cable jump.

If you have the old plastics wheels I recommend changing them as a cheap fix.

al

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:29 am

rockman448us wrote:can someone if there is a way to make it easier to steer the trolling motor. Seems like i get wore out trying to go where i want it to go

There is a trolling motor control you can put over the joint in the shaft. Sorry, but I forgot the name.
Tighten it until the motor won't turn unless you push on the pedal, or you reach a tension that is comfortable for you.
The Trolling Motor Doctor sells them.