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Old 21 May 2012, 11:07   #1
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Seastar steering helm lumpy

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?
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Old 21 May 2012, 16:44   #2
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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.

Luck;

jky
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Old 24 May 2012, 12:58   #3
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maybe new oil will help.
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Old 24 May 2012, 13:13   #4
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You may have rusty balls! It needs stripping and servicing with new oil and seals.............
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When a boat looks that good who needs tubes!!!
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Old 24 May 2012, 13:18   #5
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I think this system has been swapped between boats recently? Probably air.
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Old 24 May 2012, 13:30   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willk View Post
I think this system has been swapped between boats recently? Probably air.
In my experience air means it has too much free play ............
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Originally Posted by Zippy
When a boat looks that good who needs tubes!!!
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Old 24 May 2012, 14:08   #7
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Quote:
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In my experience air means it has too much free play ............
Fair 'nuff, youth must defer to Experience

However, he has just swapped the unit between boats. It worked on boat 1, not boat 2...

The same type of kit on the same type of boat once gave me notchy or lumpy steering - turned out the reservoir was low. Maybe one to check too.
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Old 24 May 2012, 15:25   #8
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Top up the oil, bet that's the trouble.
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