Anyone ever do it your self?
Pretty easy? Things to watch out for / don't do, etc.?

I have a Minn Kota Riptide. At 1st look, I'm thinking that it's going to be easier to repair with the motor still attached to the boat since it has that motorized hub for the steering. It doesn't look like that piece comes off easy - but I also didn't spend alot of time diagnosing that part.




I believe that the shaft is lifetime warrantied - but I'm not sure.
I almost hate spending the money on it to get repaired in a shop because I just don't have the range with the wireless remote that I need therefore I want to get something else. But I also don't want to drop 3k on a new one right now.

You have the ipilot model?

Yes the shaft has a lifetime warranty but if out of warranty you have to pay the labor to have it installed. Look under the head unit. You should see about 4 screws. Remove the screws and the top half of the head will come off. Take note of how the wires are laid out and what plugs into what. You unplug the wires then in the bottom of the head unit where the wires go thru it has a small plastic piece with a slot for the wires to go thru. You pop that out. Now you release the deploy button while holding to the motor at the bottom of the shaft and gently slide it out, the wires will follow. That part is easy to do yourself. I would carry it in to a shop at that point and have them replace it.

The bottom of the shaft is fit inside the top of the motor. I believe you have to use heat to break it free and remove and it has to be sealed when replaced. If you do not do it correctly, water will get in the motor and you now own an anchor. If you decide to do it yourself, you'll have to do a search on removing it to go further than I described. But you were correct, you do not need to remove the entire frame from the boat. Replacing it is just as easy as removal just be careful not to pinch the wires when sliding it back in.

Bobby, thanks for the tips.

Yes, I do have the I-pilot.
I think I'll be taking it into a shop just as you mentioned to make sure all is done right. And hopefully by taking the motor and shaft in, that will help save me some on labor. Because I will have to pay for labor.

The motor doesn't work like it used to, but replacing the shaft is cheaper than buying a new one so that's the direction I'll head.

Thanks!

Which wire goes where and how placed in the TM head can get fuzzy. Take pictures with your phone if you can. It helps me even if I think I got it down.