Loose Hydraulic Steering: Remedies Anyone?

[FIN-S-R]

Seastar Hydro steering system. Has Play in it to the tune of about 1/2 inch either side of center. Can anything be done to tighten the steering? Any and all comments and suggestions welcome.

[Way2slow]

It has air in it and needs to be bled out. Check your cylinder on the motor and see if there is any sign of oil where the rods come out, if so you probably need a new seal kit (approx $100).

I use the mil spec H5606 hydraulic fluid, this can be picked up at most local/county airports that have a maintenance shop. You can buy a gallon of that for about $20 and SeaStrar want's about $13 for a pint of theirs. Do Not use Dextron, that's only suggested to use in an emergency when nothing else is available.

It will also make life a little simpler if you use the bleed kit. I made mine with a barb fitting a 3" piece of hose and a plactic gear oil bottle with the tappered cap.

You will also want a 3 - 4' piece of hose to fit over the bleeders on the cylinder feed into a quart bottle. That way you can catch the fluid and reuse it. It take a lot of fluid passed through the system to fully bleed it.

 

[FIN-S-R]

Thanks!!!

[Jig Man]

Before I went to all that trouble I would add a little fluid and see what happens.  Mine got like that and I put an ounce or so of fluid to fill it up and it has been working flawlessly for over 2 years.