2014 307 Freedom Steering Issue.

[PaulieS307Freedom]

So, I was out last weekend on the water and attempting to steer left it takes anywhere from 6-10 turns of the wheel before I get response from the outboards but turning right is a solid 3 turns of the wheel and the boat turns. Don't see any hydraulic leaks in the stern, going to try taking the helm apart to look behind the wheel.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[seasick]

First step is to check the fluid level at the helm. If low, top off but regardless you will have to bleed the system (correctly!)
Although one person can manage to bleed the system, two persons is recommended. Check the Dometic web site for bleeding instructions.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Yep!

Low hydraulic oil manifests
1st with jerk or jumping movements when turning the wheel
2nd after oil level get more low then it start to turn without resistance

As you already have low resistance you need to bleed the system after filling hydraulic oil and as seasick wrote,
not a big problem at all in two but complicated to do alone.
There is a kind of special filler hose to avoid mess and that air bubbles get again in the system if adding oil when bleeding is insufficient.
Chris

 

[seasick]

I forgot to mention that a bad/dirty/sticking check valve can cause loss of hydraulic effort. That said, bleed first and go from there.
To emphasize Chris's advice, use the special fitting and hose to fill the reservoir. If you don't pay attention and suck air into the head unit, you have to start the bleeding all over from scratch

 

[PaulieS307Freedom]

Thank you all for the advice, I will work on bleeding the system and pray that it works.

 

[PaulieS307Freedom]

Question regarding bleeding the hydraulic steering system, I have autopilot on the boat does that change the process on how to bleed the lines at the stern and the helm also dual outboards? Also how many quarts of hydraulic fluid do you think I would need?

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

The instructions on how to bleed a Reactor AP is in the Garmin Reactor Install Manual HERE
I should bleed (or replace depending on color/age) my fluid as well as i have a strong vibration/pulsating when AP is moving engines.
I have no idea how much the whole system takes, the different length of hoses should not make a big difference, my guess is at least 3 quarts for full replacement.
For only bleeding and if oil is rather fresh you could reuse it, however i prefer to pay for new Teleflex or other brand same specs hydraulic oil and Dometic/teleflex insists to use ATF only a emergency.
From West Marine: 1 quart of non Teleflex hydraulic oil cost 26$, the Dometic/Teleflex one is 29$
Chris



Here a screen shot of it

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Just found the tread at continouswave.com how to build a DYI no-air-get-sucked-in solution if bleeding alone or with a unreliable person.
https://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4660

There is also a clear hose what screws on the Seastar oil bottle and the helm filler plug, this helps also greatly to avoid that air is sucked in again.