Hydraulic Steering

[intrepid_rib]

I’m in the process of converting from cable to hydraulic steering. System is bled up but I’m pretty sure there’s some more air in the system so will be giving it a couple more bleeds over the weekend. The steering kit is a Chinese one from AliBaba but all seems decent quality so far.

I have a concern though, in that when I manually push the outboard from side to side by hand, the wheel spins. It was my understanding (although I could be wrong) that non return valves in the pump should prevent this as the steering should stay in the position it’s left in, IE only inputs at the helm can turn the engine. It may be that my small inputs by hand aren’t enough to close the non-return valve and all will be ok when out in the water, or maybe more bleeding will solve, but can anyone tell me if they can move their outboard from side to side manually at the transom, which in turn spins the wheel at the helm?

Thanks for your help!

[mickter]

Pretty sure ours can`t be turned . but was fitted by Xs ribs so top quality.

[Iankristy]

Originally Posted by intrepid_rib

I’m in the process of converting from cable to hydraulic steering. System is bled up but I’m pretty sure there’s some more air in the system so will be giving it a couple more bleeds over the weekend. The steering kit is a Chinese one from AliBaba but all seems decent quality so far.

I have a concern though, in that when I manually push the outboard from side to side by hand, the wheel spins. It was my understanding (although I could be wrong) that non return valves in the pump should prevent this as the steering should stay in the position it’s left in, IE only inputs at the helm can turn the engine. It may be that my small inputs by hand aren’t enough to close the non-return valve and all will be ok when out in the water, or maybe more bleeding will solve, but can anyone tell me if they can move their outboard from side to side manually at the transom, which in turn spins the wheel at the helm?

Thanks for your help!

Not 100% but logic says when you move the outboard the ram will push oil up one line and pull down the other and move the wheel. It has to go somewhere or you wouldn’t be able to move ram? Check valves I think only allow pressure to build up in helm and go both ways depending which way your turning it

[beamishken]

Never come across a hydraulic steering system where you could push the engine & turn the wheel. My guess is this cheaper system is missing the po check valves.

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[Peter_C]

Logic tells me you don't want the motor turning the boat a different direction than the input you are giving to the steering wheel. Therefore they should both work in unison, just like if it were a steering cable. You turn the outboard and the steering wheel turns is normal. Also how would the wheel return to a spot so you know where center steering is?

[intrepid_rib]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Never come across a hydraulic steering system where you could push the engine & turn the wheel. My guess is this cheaper system is missing the po check valves.

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

I’m thinking more and more that this is a defective unit, particularly as the manual makes plenty of reference to the valves being present. Can’t imagine a hydraulic steering system without no-returns, it’s really one of the main advantages.

[wgc851]

Gotta watch some of the cheapo units.
Some of the Chinese ones were built without check valves. Fella in my boat park fitted, and then sent back 2 helms for this reason. On the 3rd attempt they sent him one with check valves

[intrepid_rib]

Originally Posted by wgc851

Gotta watch some of the cheapo units.
Some of the Chinese ones were built without check valves. Fella in my boat park fitted, and then sent back 2 helms for this reason. On the 3rd attempt they sent him one with check valves

That’s really useful information, thanks so much. Back to the manufacturer it is!

[beamishken]

That hydraulic schematic doesn't make sense the check valves are doing nothing

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