Minnkota squeaking/creaking problem....grease????

I posted this over at MuskyFirst, but got no response.......

I have an older 55 lb thrust Minnkota and it has started making a squeaking sound when running (not when the head turns, but the actual prop). I was wondering can you grease them? If so, How? Where? and what kind of grease would work best?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Steve

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shep on May 26, 2009 at 1:53pm: Is the squeaking/creaking in the mount area? Or the prop itself? Mine used to creak when the power applied put torque on the mount, and it would creak. I never did get rid of it. The Terrova has been quiet for the first 2 years, and so far this year, too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve Thompson on May 26, 2009 at 2:16pm: No, The squeaking is in the housing for the prop. It seems to happen more often as the battery drains, but does it periodically when fully charged.

Shep said:
Is the squeaking/creaking in the mount area? Or the prop itself? Mine used to creak when the power applied put torque on the mount, and it would creak. I never did get rid of it. The Terrova has been quiet for the first 2 years, and so far this year, too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe Andrews on May 27, 2009 at 2:27pm: You might be getting water in there...the only thing I've ever done is take the prop off to see if it looks like there's a bad seal. Any further than that, I take it to the mechanics. I guess I would try to locate the squeaking out of the water and go from there. If it is a seal issue, I would think you could buy them at a Minnkota dealer...other than that, I'm looking forward to when my powerdrive starts squeaking so I can deal with it. I wish they would just make stuff more durable and longer lasting. Everything is junk nowadays. Good luck.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig on June 13, 2009 at 7:08pm: my minnkota is 4 months old and started squeeking last trip out. same area as yours.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brandyn Shepherd on June 13, 2009 at 9:31pm: I'm having a similar problem, but it seems to be coming from the head of the trolling motor, and only when in the water. It seems to occur after a while of use and on higher speeds, so something may be warming up (?)

Took the cover off the head and everything looks fine. Can't seem to figure it out.

Any ideas?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TJP on June 15, 2009 at 7:51pm: My 74lb PD has been doing the same thing for the last couple of years ,,, it started from water getting inside, I sealed it up and cleaned it with electronic cleaner and some wd40 , now they tell me its the residue from the wd40 thats making it squeak ,,doesn't happen all the time , but when it does it drives ya nuts !!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jason on June 16, 2009 at 9:03am: I am having the exact same problem that Steve describes.
After the battery drains a little and only at low speeds do I hear this squeaking. I believe it's coming from the prop housing area, but you can hear it in the head as well.
I had mine serviced this past winter. I had the armature replaced and the seal replaced but still have the squeaking problem.
Yep...it does drive you nuts...the only "solution" I have found is to move to the back of the boat and use the co pilot.
I hope someone will be able to shed some light on this issue.
(Mine is an 80lb. Powerdrive); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dean on March 22, 2010 at 9:25am: one way to see if the seal is leaking is take off the prop and then take out one of the screws that holds the front part in place, don't loosen the head, just take out the screw. If it shows corrosion you have a leak, then you need to take it apart, suggest cleaning it with wd 40 then flush it off with electrical contact cleaner and lube spray. Then put it together with a new seal and hopefully your good to go.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MuskyRuss on March 23, 2010 at 12:57pm: Had the same problem with MY 2 year old auto pilot PD65, took it in for service they replaced the
seal and the prop shaft, still had the squeak. Lived with it for a while and then called and talked to a Minn-Kota service tech at the factory, he suggested that I change the prop, as he explained to me that sometimes the prop through use or just sitting in the elements warps and goes out of balance which could be causing the Squeak. Bought a new prop and the problem was solved. Just for good measure I put my old prop on my buddys PD65 and it started to squeak. Not sure if it will solve everyones squeak problem but its did mine

MuskyRuss; ▶ Reply to This