Old Town AutoPilot Motor Shim Issue

This video walks you through the process to replace the friction shim on the Old Town AutoPilot motor. If all the components are correct but you’re still experiencing slipping, check to ensure the friction shim has not come out. It can pop out when raising or lowering the motor and the ball is loose.
Original Facebook Post- / 1411327076007395
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[@timconnors3211]

i wish i knew now what I didn'tknow then... It took 3 years and 75 days on the water but I now know what the "clunk' noise comes from. The steering ball assembly with the upper collar half, is tichtly clamped around the shaft with 2 bolt/nuts, which bring the 2 halves together, and hold the upper collar half tight against the shaft. The orientation of the upper collar half needs to complement the lower collar half (the two orange arrows need to be aligned when the ball assembly upper collar is assembled and tightened) which is fixed into the lower white motor unit, which has the gears that turn the shaft. When you draw the motor down into position with the paracord pully, the two collar halves need to fit together "clunk" perfectly. The upper collar half needs to be drawn down all ther way to completely complement/marry to the lower collar half. The paracord needs to be completely tight in the cleat so the two collar halves are perfectly fitted together to form a flush connected collar. The spot lock shaft movement torgues on this connection constantly, so if the ball assembly is even slighly loose, or sitting 1/16 of an inch too proud, it will eventually become malalligned and cause the steering to fail and hence need to be manually rotated until it "clunks" into alignment. The plastic collar halves will become worn and their perfect complementary connection becomes less and less reliable. Replacing the entire steering ball assembly then becomes necessary. This is not difficult but necessary. The plastic design of the two collar halves makes the assembly salt water resistant but prone to wearing down with prolonged use of spot lock. The steering ball assembly is $30 bucks mailed to you from Old Town. I still love this kayak.

[@chriseastman1564]

Thanks Greg! Great instructional!

[@timconnors3211]

Gregg you my friend are tremendous. What a help! Exact issue I have presetly and boy did you save me time and money! Big money! I need to get a new shim, but I am sure Old Town can mail one to for a few bucks. Saves me shipping the motor! Thank god I found you video THANKs for making AND posting!

[@FishingAv8r]

Glad to help

[@ogsuperflygarage]

Good video Gregg! Very informative and I like how replicated the issue and demonstrated the repair! Keep the content coming! 💯👊🏾

[@FishingAv8r]

Thanks, will do!

[@WannaFishAllDay]

Good video and tip! Thanks!

[@reinaldomoll]

Good video, but wish you zoomed in closer on the motor instead of panned out to see your whole garage.

[@rchellidude6878]

Don't add locktight to nylon/plastic anything... the locktight will eat plastic. :)

[@thenati2938]

Who-Dey!

[@FishingAv8r]

Who-Dey!