Motorguide Lower Unit Replacement

[wvvanlife]

Hey guys been working on my dads boat. He hasn’t used it in about 7 years while mom was sick with ALS and the lower unit seals got damaged and let water in. Took the lower unit off and tested all the switches and they appear to work. Rather than spending $600+ on a new motor I’m debating just replacing the lower unit. Do I apply any thing to the threads of the shaft or just tighten it down as tight as possible?

Dads turning 78 and wanting to enjoy the water some more so definitely want to do it right for him.

Thanks!!

[Bradrodfish]

Make sure that the threads on the shaft are clean.I am guessing it is metal. Make sure the threads on the motor are clean. I would get a can or tube of Loc tie primer and a tube of red loctite thread sealer. Apply it to the threads on the shaft. You have to make sure that you can turn the shaft easily so you can get the shaft all the way down into the coupling on the motor. No threads should be exposed if it is screwed on correctly. Allow 24 hours for the loctite to completely set.

[born to fish]

When I replaced mine, I had to heat up the shaft (Used a heat gun) where it screwed into the lower unit. Had to clamp the shaft in order to turn the bottom off. The wires run down the middle of the shaft and you need to make sure they are unhooked from the connections at the top of the head so they can turn as you turn the lower unit. When reassembling I used red loctite. The wires have to turn as you tighten the lower unit. Make sure the head and lower unit are lined up exactly the way they were before disassembly. Let set for a couple days to dry. I also ran a bead of silicone around where the shaft threads into the lower unit. Hardest part was getting the lower unit off the shaft. Mine has been running fine for last 4 years.