Hydraulic Steering Problem

G

guido

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Guys, boy can I use your help! When I turn my wheel to port the steering works fine, but turning the wheel starboard nothing happens for about 5 turns then the engines come around. I called Sea Star and they thought it might be a check valve, so I took the helm unit apart and reset everything, still no good. Okay so I purchased another helm unit, figuring steering is pretty important so why worry about the cost. I put the new unit in still the same problem. So now I replace the linkage by the engines, so I have a new steering system, all shoud be good. Still the same problem. I forgot to say I have an auto pilot, so I decide to bypass the A/P pump and the steering works. Well kind of, when I checked it again after a few days, the steering was back to it's old tricks, turn the wheel nothing happens for a few turn then it goes. Anyone else hear or experience a similar situation???

Thanks Guys,
JC
 
I had the same problem. I've never been happy with my Seastar Hydralic steering. I replaced the helm with new last year, no problems. But this year same thing, I just got back from the boat, I bleed the lines according to Seastar direction and all seems good again. Try bleeding the lines and toping off with Hydralic fluid. Good luck!
 
STEERING

The last post made a good point about bleeding your line. Unfortunately, an air pocket will not make its way out of the line-all it will do is compress the air compromising steering.
This may sound stupid but did you check the oil level at the helm? Whenever my steering skipped, I topped off the power steering fluid at the wheel.
Also, on the steering unit on the engine, check that everything is tight. I had an issue on my yami 250 SWS II where the black threaded rings at the end of the ram (look like they have non skid) kept backing off.

GOOD LUCK!
 
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