My Seastar helm has got quite heavy and lumpy when turning. It has done about 500 hours of choppy sea ribing with 225 honda on the back. so has been worked. Do parts wear out on these and can they be repaired. Or is it a replace only option?
Lumpy usually means air in the system, I think. You're feeling the bubbles being pumped through the helm. Could be the heaviness as well, as you've got to compress the air bubbles before any kind of mechanical effect takes place.
Bleeding isn't really tough to do, but it's kind of a PITA. Easier with 2 people, but doable with 1. Just make sure you keep the reservoir topped off and don't defeat the purpose by sucking more air into the lines.
Of course that leaves the question as to how the air got in; letting the level fall too low is the obvious one, but a leak somewhere further along the system is possible.
A web search for "Sea Star Bleeding" wiill get you directions for bleeding.
