Hydraulic steering - 'ticking' noise

Dan Gurney · 29 July 2019, 13:44

My steering (Ultraflex) has developed an odd ticking noise on full starboard lock. It happens towards the full lock and then again as you wind the lock off. The steering isn't stiff in either direction (except in that it's always been a little more difficult to turn to starboard than port) and seems to work fine.

Possibly relevant: since the boat was serviced at the beginning of the season I've found evidence of small amounts of fluid leaking out of the top plug on steering boss after it's been left for a while. I put this down to it being overfilled and the hot weather causing it to expand and come out of the breather?

Any one any experience of similar?

neil.mccrirrick · 29 July 2019, 15:20

I’d need to look at mine Dan so this is just opinion why would there be a breather on a hydraulic system? Surely it’s sealed? I’d guess you have a small very small leak and the ticking is air in the system under pressure where oil should be

Pikey Dave · 29 July 2019, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

I’d need to look at mine Dan so this is just opinion why would there be a breather on a hydraulic system? Surely it’s sealed? I’d guess you have a small very small leak and the ticking is air in the system under pressure where oil should be

Neil, the filler plug has a breather built in. Mine weeps in very hot weather.

Dan Gurney · 29 July 2019, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Neil, the filler plug has a breather built in.

Yeah, I had a look at the instruction manual which confirmed this (unless you have a dual helm in which case the upper helm has a breather cap and the lower helm doesn't, for obvious reasons).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Mine weeps in very hot weather.

Well, that's comforting. Not just me then.

horacebat · 29 July 2019, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

My steering (Ultraflex) has developed an odd ticking noise on full starboard lock. It happens towards the full lock and then again as you wind the lock off. The steering isn't stiff in either direction (except in that it's always been a little more difficult to turn to starboard than port) and seems to work fine.

Possibly relevant: since the boat was serviced at the beginning of the season I've found evidence of small amounts of fluid leaking out of the top plug on steering boss after it's been left for a while. I put this down to it being overfilled and the hot weather causing it to expand and come out of the breather?

Any one any experience of similar?

Interesting, my Redbay has exactly the same issue!, now I know what to do to fix!

willk · 29 July 2019, 18:52

I can't tell you what the ticking might represent, but some weeping is normal after topping up. Do you feel any "notchiness" or a tactile clicking as you turn the wheel? This is VERY bad - usually indicates low fluid levels and can give way entirely under pressure...

Dan Gurney · 29 July 2019, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I can't tell you what the ticking might represent, but some weeping is normal after topping up. Do you feel any "notchiness" or a tactile clicking as you turn the wheel? This is VERY bad - usually indicates low fluid levels and can give way entirely under pressure...

Nope, feels smooth as butter. I think it maybe does it more if turning hard (from memory). Y'kno; trim in and crank it over hard. Think I should get some fluid and try to purge it? Worried I'll make it worse....

willk · 30 July 2019, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

Y'kno; trim in and crank it over hard

aka a "McLaughlin Turn"

If you're trying to get her to let go you're wasting your time!

IMO it can't help to get some fluid and do a top up. Best read up on the technique for bleeding (I forget) but as Neil says, you might have a bubble or two passing through the system.

Poly · 30 July 2019, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

aka a "McLaughlin Turn"

If you're trying to get her to let go you're wasting your time!

IMO it can't help to get some fluid and do a top up. Best read up on the technique for bleeding (I forget) but as Neil says, you might have a bubble or two passing through the system.

If it’s like the system I recently fitted from a different manufacturer bleeding is really a two person job. I got a very slight tick noise when I tried to do it on my own. So it could be a tiny amount of air.