Seastar hydraulic steering oil leak

[dougcrock]

I have noticed a slight oil leak at steering ram of Seastar 3 yr old How easy? to fix or is it better to get expert to do it. General condition immaculate
thanks

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by dougcrock

I have noticed a slight oil leak at steering ram of Seastar 3 yr old How easy? to fix or is it better to get expert to do it. General condition immaculate
thanks

Pretty easy to do, assuming you can get the kit. Kit contains (as I remember): 2 seals premounted in end caps, a spanner for removing and installing said seals, a few other bits and pieces. Kit runs between $60 and $85 US, depending on where you buy it.

If you can't get the kit, you'll need the appropriate glands with seals, and need to fabricate a wrench that fits the little holes in the cap.

I suppose it's possible to reuse the caps and just replace the seals, if you don't mind being down for a bit. (see below)


Seastar used to recommend doing a complete flush and fill when you do the seals, but it's quite possible to replace them without losing much fluid at all.

Basically, you disconnect the steering arms from the ends of the ram, turn the wheel so the ram moves all the way to one side, remove and replace that seal, then go the other way to change the other side. Bleed the ram on either side to eliminate air, and you're pretty much done.

As a side note, many people say that you can take the old glands to a hydraulic shop and have the seals replaced; seems easy enough, but I haven't gotten around to it.

As long as you're doing the ram seals, you might as well replace the helm seal as well. That way all the user replaceable stuff is done at once. The helm seal runs about $5.

Luck;

jky

[dougcrock]

sounds simple thanks for that
doug

[gohelm]

Doug,

Although you state 'immaculate' please make sure that you carefully check the ram/rod for damages since if the seals start leaking because of damages on the surface of the piston rod, replacing the seals will be a waste of time.

Repeatedly occuring leakages will be imminent if only a 'scratch' is on it, at least that is my (unlucky) experience now... Had in the end the piston rod copied out of a slab 316 since the 'government issue' MOD spec piston on my boat (without any further markings on make/brand/type) had such damages....

[dougcrock]

Taking apart tonight so will see how good it really is thanks

[jyasaki]

Well, IMO, the seals on the Seastar rams are somewhat less than indestructible. They seem to fail (not catastrophically, but begin leaking) with higher than expected regularity.

On my boat, they lasted about 3 years before they began leaking; the new set is still fine (3 years now), but I've heard of others who regularly develop leaks after a season and a half.

Scratches, nicks, etc on the rod will accelerate things, but from various forums I have read, it really doesn't seem that the seals need the help to begin leaking.

jky

[dougcrock]

cant see any marking on shafts have ordered seastar kit ouch but as it is crititcal bit of kit right thing to do, im sure you could replace just the seals at much reduced price had fitted power assist last year and was concerned that induced early failure but seems no issues with that.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by dougcrock

have ordered seastar kit ouch

How many £££ ?

[dougcrock]

£110 for the kit you have to get the special spanner its better than a screwdriver and hammer

[jyasaki]

Sounds a little steep. Discount boat shops have the kit (well, the one for the "normal" single outboard steering ram) with wrench, glands with seals, and little thread avoiding gizmo for about $100 US.

Aren't we still in the neighborhood of 1.5:1 GBP to USD? Or am I way behind the times? (Again)

jky

[kwil]

Aren't we still in the neighborhood of 1.5:1 GBP to USD?

Yes but by the time items get into the stores here it always works out 1:1.

Keith

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by kwil

Yes but by the time items get into the stores here it always works out 1:1.

Keith

Sorry, that should have been the other way around. $1.50 US to 1 GBP. My mistake in typing.

So, one would think that the kit should have been in the area of 60 to 70 pounds, rather than over 100. Multiple sources here have it for a touch over $100 US.

Not trying to rub in the pricing; just find it odd.

jky

[dougcrock]

hi jky
price includes postage
most US items marine auto and clothing are priced $1 becomes £1
best bet is a friend to send item as gift it wont attact any tax in UK
petrol (Gas) is £1.30/litre 1US gall = 3.78l = £4.92/US gall therefore part cost me the same as me having to buy 85 litres or 22 US gals (think calcs are ok)
how many gallons would it cost you
having once capsized rib when teleflex steering failed its cheap insurance
doug

[jyasaki]

Thanks, Doug;

Luck with the maintenance.

jky

[dougcrock]

replaced seals and purged and bled system 3 times no air bubles BUT not working goes correctly to starboard 5 turns but keeps turning on port helm what should i look at (apart from credit card)
this was possibly the original fault that i assumed was due to low oil which was due to leaking seals
no other oil leaks in system
thanks

[jyasaki]

Assuming the motor will turn in both directions (which implies the pump is working correctly):

Something jammed in the check valve of the helm?

If you look at the back of the helm unit, there's a couple of biggish hex heads towards the bottom. Removing these reveals a couple of spring-actuated check valves that are the overpressure releases (i.e. if you crank the helm to the stop, then keep going, the check valve opens and allows fluid to leak through, preventing a blown seal or hose or whatever.) It's apparently possible for debris to jam the valve open, which essentially overrides the stop.

If that doesn't seem to be the problem, repost, and I'll see what else I can come up with.

jky

[dougcrock]

Thanks jky
will try that tonight have already removed the helm from console but was scared to touch things i dont know about
You seem to be expert on this
does the power steering have similar check valves
cant find a exploded diagram
doug

[dougcrock]

Update
took out and cleaned & replaced these pic 1 check valves?
no change helm 5 turns clockwise free wheels anti
changed port/stb check valves round
no change
changed port/stb cylinder inlet hoses round
no change
changed port/stb power assist (PA) inlet hoses round
helm now free wheels clockwise 5 turns anti
PA is 1 year old dont want to invalidate warranty but whats in it that i can check or fix
thanks
doug

[jyasaki]

Sorry, no idea how their power steering works. My experience is based on working on my (manual) helm pump.

jky

[dougcrock]

thanks
i put query to teleflex this AM and have just recieved a reply
did my diagnosic seem correct?
doug