Hydraulic steering

[AlTait]

Hi All.
I have a standard hydraulic steering with a sea-star ran operating twin 140's. When I turn the steering wheel one way its smooth, but in the other direction it's got a clunk ,clunk ,clunk. It still turns the mothers but not smoothly.
Is it just bleeding of do I need a new impeller or suck in the Wheel hub?

Any ideas

Thanks

Al

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by AlTait

Hi All.
I have a standard hydraulic steering with a sea-star ran operating twin 140's. When I turn the steering wheel one way its smooth, but in the other direction it's got a clunk ,clunk ,clunk. It still turns the mothers but not smoothly.
Is it just bleeding of do I need a new impeller or suck in the Wheel hub?

Any ideas

Thanks

Al

Yeah! suck my hub, mother

Seriously it could be air or a sticky valve. Try bleeding it first, that's the cheapest option to start with.

[Cookee]

It might be worth changing the oil as well - your balls could be getting rusty if it's got some water in there!

[Dhf]

Just try topping up very slow with hyro oil, and turn the helm all the way several times, if this doesn't help you may have a seal gone.

[willk]

When my seastar steering ran low on fluid, I experienced the symptoms you describe - notchy feeling turning one way. Have you checked the levels in the reservoir? Probably best bled after that anyway.

Use the correct oil from Seastar!

[AlTait]

Hi. Thanks all. It looks like I'll start with the bleeding, It's full of oil.
Is there an impeller in the steering hub that could be shot?

Thanks

Al

[jyasaki]

No, no impeller within the helm pump.

Here's a post showing some guy rebuilding his helm
Seastar steering helm pump rebuild/with pics - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

Most likely, a bleed will take care of your problem (in truth, probably a top-off and a little exercising the helm will take care of it, but if you haven't changed the fluid in a while, that's probably a good idea anyway.) If you decide to change the oil, I'd suggest changing the cylinder seals as well, as you'll have to bleed the system after doing so anyway (and they will start leaking - trust me.) The helm seal can be changed without needing to bleed.

Sorry, I know I've seen an exploded diagram of the helm, but can't seem to find it now.

jky

[AlTait]

Thanks JKY ,that sounds like what I need to do.

Thanks for your help.

Al

[CJL]

I have a spare ram, set of hoses and oil that I'm looking to sell if you can't fix it.

Chris