Trolling Motor Bracket Mounting

[RushFan]

My Motorguide TM mounts are very loose.  I tried to tightend but the bolt just turns like it's stripped.  Opened up the deck and there is not a bolt or any kind of fitting with female threads.  I have replacement T-type TM Isolator Bolts by Rite-Hite.  Is there a better way to secure the bracket to the bow?  Also how do I get the current bolts out?  The boat is a Tracker 175TXW.  Thanks!

[Mike Cork]

If you can reach where the bolts come through I highly recommend getting away from the t mounts and use straight bolts nuts and washers.

Getting the old mounts out can be tough. You can try prying on the bracket to put upward pressure on the head of the bolt while trying to lossen it. I've see them so stripped that you had to cut the heads off and punch them through.

[RushFan]

Yep, elementary school lever got 2 of 4.  One came out on its own.  The other failed when I started to insert a taped up long screw driver (lever)!  It's tight under that deck!  Are you using rubber grommets as bushing between the mount and deck?

[Mike Cork]

You can but I never did. If you bolt it down it's not going to move. If it does shift some or vibrate it's not going to hurt anything visible. A grommet will just allow for more flex IMO

[RushFan]

Did a combination.  Got a handfull of nuts, 2" washers with a 1/4" hole (largest I found at Ace's) & lockwashers (lost 2 each, hopefully they'll find the way out).  Took the T-bolts and cut them down to fill the existing holes and a little clearance between the deck and bracket.  No wiggle in the bracket now.