Mismatched power steering

gtflash · 19 May 2016, 19:39

I have acquired several steering parts, for hydraulic steering. I have a choice of helms and one steering ram. The ram is a hydrive 210 bullhorn, very strong and well built

Question is can I fit a non hydrive helm, such as a seastar sport tilt. I have a hydrive helm but it's tatty and doesn't fit my console so well. Hydrive just say theirs is more superior (of course). Both helms are equal cc capacity and both have no feedback two line system, with equal pressure relief and even number of valves/ports.

Confused

the

beamishken · 20 May 2016, 23:08

Shouldn't be a problem it's only a pipework exercise to plumb it together. If the helm is mismatched you will either end up with very light but lots of turns lock to lock steering
Or very heavy and hardly any turns lock to lock steering.
I'd try to cobble them together somehow for a test before you go buying new hoses/ fittings even hose clipped hoses should do for a test as there should be minimal pressure then once your sure it'll work get proper pressure rated hoses swaged at a pirtek type place

whisper · 22 May 2016, 16:12

I was told when building a set that hydrive and the Seastar uses different oils so they are not compatible.

www.customrib.co.uk

Dirk Diggler · 22 May 2016, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

I was told when building a set that hydrive and the Seastar uses different oils so they are not compatible.

They both have their own oils, but I've used Dexron 11 ATF in both systems, and it works fine, and so does any Aviation spec hydraulic fluid.

beamishken · 22 May 2016, 18:29

You can get many different hydraulic oils often for different applications and temperature ranges as long as you don't use a mix of synthetic and mineral you'll be fine
It's a very simple hydraulic system so nothing special required apart from a light (thin) oil as there will be no heat generated to thin a heavier oil

jyasaki · 23 May 2016, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

They both have their own oils, but I've used Dexron 11 ATF in both systems, and it works fine, and so does any Aviation spec hydraulic fluid.

Don't know about Hydrive, but Seastar specs out a fluid that is generically named "Fluid, Hydraulic, Aviation Grade" with an associated MilSpec. Seastar charges on the order of $25/quart; if you get it from an aviation supply place it's around $30/gallon (though it's also dyed red to aid in leak detection, whereas the Seastar stuff is clearish.)

jky

gtflash · 27 May 2016, 08:04

Thanks all. I'm gonna try it.

It seems the oil thing is due to the perishing of seals. I'm gonna go with hydrive oil as I have it already

beamishken · 27 May 2016, 10:34

[QUOTE=gtflash

It seems the oil thing is due to the perishing of seals. I'm gonna go with hydrive oil as I have it already[/QUOTE]

More likely that's what the manufacturers want you to believe so you buy their liquid gold oil