Need New Helm

[Fishin' Rod]

After my mechanic did my spring service on my 88 Seafarer he told me that I should replace my helm. There is a lot of play and a ringing noise I get when I turn from one side or to the other. There also something like a snap to the ringing when I turn too. Is there anything I can do or adjust to get through this season? And, how hard is it to replace the helm? It is a SeaStar made by Teleflex.

 

[bc282]

this is a pretty easy job, a bit messy, but not terribly challenging.
get a seastar helm with same size as the previous one (if old helm is 1.7 should stay with same size). if you stay with seastar, then the fittings should be the same and you don't have to mess with additional adaptors, fittings, etc.
buy the seastar steering oil and their fill tub to help bleed the system properly. I've first tried using a funnel and it just makes a mess and can let air into the system so the bleeding process just takes more oil, time and messier.