hydraulic helm repair recommendations needed

[beerbelly]

i seem to have an issue with my seastar hydraulic helm unit any recommendations for a repair / refurb place .its only 4 years old and had become graunchy and harder to turn to port absolutely fine turning right. i tried bleeding it and got air out but now on the water its wandering about quite scary at speed when it decides to vear off and had a terrible time just entering a lock. i have looked at new and they seem to be about £400

[whiskylee]

Hypro marine I believe are main UK distribution. Might be worth a call. Alternatively any hydraulic specialist can supply parts. The labour cost is the problem on a £400 part

[Voodoo]

Had a similar issue with mine, turned out it had a tiny crack in the casting so any amount of filling / bleeding had no benefit. Ended up replacing with new and its so much better. The wandering about was indeed scary at speed and annoying when going slow into the marina channel.

[beerbelly]

cheers folks yes i thought a repair would probably be nearly the price of new so i have bit the bullet and ordered a new one from force 4 £455 including delivery it was the cheapest i could find .ah well thats boats for ya

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

cheers folks yes i thought a repair would probably be nearly the price of new so i have bit the bullet and ordered a new one from force 4 £455 including delivery it was the cheapest i could find .ah well thats boats for ya

think i may have to return this just reading the fitting notes from when in fitted it to a mercury 100 it was a kit for outboards up to 150hp .read note 5 so note 5 states not suitable for heavy boats , high performance outboards and outboards with 4 1/2 inch gear case ie command thrust .now i replaced the 100hp mercury with a new 115 command thrust and never thought about checking the steering was compatible and it was about 6 months in i started having issues .the pump i have fitted and have ordered are rated at 1.4 cu where as the one required is 2.0 cu and i am going to need the bigger ram to go with it i think i have found my problem and its going to require more than £400