Maybe you just bought a new boat with an old hydraulic steering system already installed, but you'd like to upgrade it. Our patented kit makes hydraulic steering system repair and maintenance a simpler process with a tool that is a perfect fit for SeaStar, BayStar and Uflex helms and cylinders. Start the vehicle and run it at idle speed. All the hoses had "aneurysms" and I figured it was only a matter of time before failure. Any old container can be used to catch the fluid expelled from the steering cylinder. Or maybe you'd just like to know how to maintain your factory-installed system. Continue turning the steering wheel until no more air bubbles are coming from the bleeder, and only fresh clean hydraulic fluid is bleeding through. PRO TIP: Do not use grips or pliers to hold the cylinder rod, as those may damage it. Hold it with string, rope, wire ties, etc. Turn steering wheel to the port side pumping air/fluid out of bleeder fitting. How to bleed the air out of a sea star steering hydraulic pump - Answered by a verified Marine Mechanic ... My boat has a hydraulic steering system and would like to know the basic maintenance on it. On boats, hydraulic steering is usually used with mid to high horsepower outboard motors. Use the next bottle of fluid at any time during the procedure in order to maintain the oil level. This can really create a problem because the same salt buildup occurs as on an outboard boat, but you don't wash it after every trip. If you’re not using a gravity feed system, connect a new bottle of hydraulic fluid to the helm pump with a filler tube. A boat’s hydraulic steering is a closed system that operates on high pressures of 1000 PSI or more. Hydraulic steering makes handling higher horsepower easier and smoother. Dirt or dust can enter the system when hoses are cut and fittings installed. All of it gone, including all the hydraulic lines and power steering pump. Hydraulic steering is ideally fitted to many types of steering applications including outboard engines, inboard/outboard engines, inboard gas and diesel engines for boats up to 100 feet in length. Hydraulic fluid will come out as you do this, but when the system has been bled, it won't have obvious bubbles in it. The gravity feed can be continuously topped off by pouring new hydraulic fluid into the cutaway end of the upturned bottle.You can use full bottles of hydraulic fluid instead of a gravity feed system, but you’ll have to change the bottles, and it’s a lot more labor intensive. Done works perfectly with motor off. The need is often caused by a leak in the system that let air or water into the system, while letting oil out. Our Hydraulic Steering Systems are perfectly adapted to inboard motor boats for pleasure, sporting and recreational fishing applications as well as to monohull and multihull sailing boats. Make sure that the hydraulic piping is perfectly clean and keep the oil free from impurities which may cause the deterioration of the components of your hydraulic steering system. Buying a new boat would be cool but expensive so instead I saved money and added hydraulic steering to my existing boat. Hydraulic systems are easily interfaced with remote pumps and electronic valves. Our patented kit makes hydraulic steering system repair and maintenance a simpler process with a tool that is a perfect fit for SeaStar, BayStar and Uflex helms and cylinders. With the helm pump full and the gravity feed system topped off, turn the steering wheel in one direction until the steering cylinder rod has fully extended. Sea Star Solutions is the steering leader worldwide with the following brand names. PRO TIP: Watch the fluid level in the helm pump as you apply pressure at hard lock. This will begin to draw new hydraulic fluid from the gravity feed into the, Step 5 – Extend the Other Side of the Cylinder Steering Rod. Ensure utmost cleanliness, paying particular attention to the line connection areas. On inboard or outdrive boats you have even more of a problem because the steering cylinder is usually "out of sight, out of mind" in the bilge of the boat or in a lazarette that you don't clean frequently. Now I am trying to figure out how to bleed the air out of the lines and rams. Here are a few tips: Cleanliness. In the process, make sure the filling level in the tank is correct. Turn the boat's steering wheel to port until air stops coming out of the bleed valves on the ram. Keep turning the wheel until the steering cylinder rod on the other side becomes fully extended. HYNAUTIC THREE LINE BLEED Use Hynautic steering oil or light viscosity hydraulic oil that meets the aircraft hydraulic fluid spec Mil-H-5606, such as Texaco #15, Exxon Univis J-13, Castrol AWH-15, Castrol Aero-585-B, or Shell Tellus 15. The -3 cylinders mount the exact same as the older ones, have the same volume and output. Multiflex brand hydraulic steering parts compatible with SeaStar parts (as seen above) will also be shown. The boat is a Formosa 51. Therefore, you’ll need something to add the fluid into the helm pump, and something to catch the fluid being expelled from the steering cylinder. Boat steering problems require a systematic approach, whether the problem be a tight steering wheel, a broken or damaged steering cable or a hesitation or “hitch” in the steering. Most boats have either mechanical or hydraulic steering systems. Remove the plug from the top of … Jeff G. You may be looking at upgrading your boat’s steering from a tiller steer outboard to mechanical steering, or from mechanical to hydraulic boat steering. I had replacements made for all 4 hoses on my Teleflex hydraulic steering. Maximize your investment in the right tools to maintain your boat and motor! Once the rod is fully extended, your helper should open the bleeder on the same side of the cylinder that the rod extended from and should position a container beneath the bleeder hose. Many pontoons already have hydraulic steering, but not mine. To purge the hydraulic steering, you’ll be putting hydraulic fluid into one end of the system and draining it out of the other end. Start at the Steering Arm Start by disconnecting the steering arm from the cable’s motor/rudder end and turn the steering wheel. The hydraulic system is now fully purged of all the old fluid and any trapped air. Bleeding or purging a SeaStar hydraulic steering system is easy to do, but requires two people, so make sure you have an assistant on hand to help you out. Re: Bleeding Hydraulic Steering with Autopilot Thanks for the web site Djohns 19,
I have been in e-mail contact with SeaStar/Teleflex. When a leak causes the fluid level to fall below the safe-operating minimum, the hydraulic pump can force air into the system. Use of any non-approved fluid may result in the following; • higher steering effort, particularly at ambient or lower temperatures and/or Open starboard bleeder nipple located on the steering cylinder. Leave the nut on the steering shaft with engagement of all the threads in the nut on the shaft, but loosened relative to the steering wheel itself. STOP! Use of any non-approved fluid may result in the following; • higher steering effort, particularly at ambient or lower temperatures and/or How to Bleed SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Bleeding or purging a SeaStar hydraulic steering system is easy to do, but requires two people, so make sure you have an assistant on hand to help you out. Hydraulic Steering Cylinders. PRO TIP: Keep an eye on the gravity fill system, and continually top it off. Delivery options and delivery speeds may vary for different locations. Installing a system in your outboard-powered boat is a simple do-it-yourself project. It’s much easier to fill the helm this way, and it reduces the possibility of air becoming trapped in the helm pump. Open port bleeder nipple located on the steering cylinder. Bleeding the Hydraulic Steering System. While your helper holds the rod, steadily turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to which you originally turned it. First thing is we want to take the steering fluid take the bottle connect it to the filler tube. You have a leak around the helm shaft behind the steering wheel: Your helm needs to be serviced and re-sealed. Abrasive dirt is the biggest killer of hydraulic systems. Step 6 – Bleed the Second Side of the Steering System, Once the purge is complete, make sure the helm pump is filled with. Next, grab the steering wheel and flex it side to side while applying a hard outward pulling force. You can use full bottles of hydraulic fluid instead of a gravity feed system, but you’ll have to change the bottles, and it’s a lot more labor intensive. Steering will be harder and the steering mechanism will be less responsive to your touch. T ... 40 yrs. I installed Sea Star HH5261 helm, hoses and SeaStar/Teleflex Inboard ATM Cylinder Part #HC5313 and the incidentals. The system is good for boats under 33 feet (10.06 m), it delivers 4.5 turns lock … As you continue to turn the wheel, your assistant should now close the bleeder and release the cylinder rod. Oil should always be visible in the filler tube. Make sure that the hydraulic piping is perfectly clean and keep the oil free from impurities which may cause the deterioration of the components of your hydraulic steering system. The most critical part of any hydraulic system is clean hydraulic oil. Securely mount (or hang) the bottle upside down above the highest helm on the boat. Common symptoms include need for greater steering effort, or maybe the boat will not steer when you turn the wheel. Most boat owners check the steering oil infrequently—a euphemism for never—unless the steering becomes less responsive, feels rough, or has other issues. If your steering is slow or ‘mushy’: You probably have air in the system. Use a piece of wood cut to length to block the hydraulic ram so that the motor can not turn the other way. Boat steering problems should be solved at the earliest opportunity ashore, just like steering problems in the family car need to be fixed before going on a trip. The kit screws snugly into the bottle at one end and the helm at the other, which means there are no leaks, drips, or mess to clean up. Step 3 Turn the boat's steering wheel to port until air stops coming out of the bleed valves on the ram. I can't figure out how to do it since both rams are dual action. Bleeding of Seastar outboard hydraulic steering systems Set-up a gravity feed steering fluid fill bottle Cut the bottom off an empty SeaStar steering fluid bottle. Connect the bottle and helm with a filler tube to establish a gravity feed system. HYNAUTIC THREE LINE BLEED Use Hynautic steering oil or light viscosity hydraulic oil that meets the aircraft hydraulic fluid spec Mil-H-5606, such as Texaco #15, Exxon Univis J-13, Castrol AWH-15, Castrol Aero-585-B, or Shell Tellus 15. Directly after starting up, it may drop very quickly. Hydraulic steering systems use a lightweight hydraulic hose to control the steering. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering.

Very helpful people and they do have downloads available for maintenance etc. After working on the hydraulic steering system, the steering system must be flushed and bled. Lessen this problem in your boat's steering system by bleeding the air out of it. Once the purge is complete, make sure the helm pump is filled with hydraulic fluid right up to the base of the filler hole. Hydraulic steering fluid is clear, mostly odorless, and light-colored. Fill the helm pump with hydraulic fluid before connecting the filler tube. Close the port bleed valve. For more details, please refer to the instructions provided with your product. Future of hydraulic boat controls. experience with complete engine repairs both inboard/outboard and MerCruiser Certified Technician. Have your assistant hold the cylinder rod to prevent it from sliding back into the cylinder. Turning counter-clockwise with a side mount/splashwell mount cylinder system will cause the rod to move in a starboard direction, and vice-versa. Unscrew the top, take the cap off, screw the filler tube on to the top of the bottle and then open up the port on the helm and screw this in the filler tube into the top of the helm. hydraulic boat steering installation instructions & owner's manual admiral & commander series 1/05/2014 manufactured by hy-drive engineering pty ltd acn 007 660 808 59 wingfield road, wingfield, south australia 5013 telephone (08) 82431633, fax: (08) 84457938 © 2000-2021 Boats.net. For more details, please refer to the instructions provided with your product. Once the helm pump is full, connect the gravity feed system to the helm via the filler tube. Tips: Flush and Bleed the Hydraulic Steering System. Re: Bleeding Hydraulic Steering with Autopilot Thanks for the web site Djohns 19,
I have been in e-mail contact with SeaStar/Teleflex. So I thought I could either buy a new boat with hydraulic steering or just add hydraulic steering. You can keep air out of your hydraulics by adding a hydraulic reservoir to your system. Never allow the gravity feed to run dry, because air will enter the hydraulic system and the entire purging process will have to be restarted. Reconnect the two hoses to the steering cylinder on the engine and move on to the Bleed the steering cylinders instructions on page 2. Maximize your investment in the right tools to maintain your boat and motor! Don’t forget to repay your assistant for helping you out, perhaps by trying out the newly bled system with a day’s fishing trip! Reconnect the two hoses to the steering cylinder on engine #1 and then repeat the above Top off the fluid level in the system and repeat the process for both port and starboard fittings until the fluid in the system remains at a constant level. NOTE: This guide is for bleeding/purging a SeaStar single helm, front mount cylinder system or single helm, side mount/splashwell mount system. Power steering systems are a bit more complex, since there’s a separate pump involved, but they’re still ultra-reliable and easy to maintain. Locate the bleed valves on the fitting where the steering hoses are connected to the ram. Locate the bleed valves on the fitting where the steering hoses are connected to the ram. 5. Correct any leaks that are found. Turning counter-clockwise with a front mount cylinder system will cause the rod to extend port, and vice-versa. Many times, we hear about the need to bleed a steering system. The BayStar kit (part number HK4200A) from SeaStar Solutions (seastarsolu tions.com) for outboards up to 150 hp is one of the least expensive ways to upgrade. Since my approx 36 years experience with hydraulic steering is generally on vessels under 90 ft in length (ZERO Mega Yachts), let’s look at my input as being applicable to boats in that size (& price) range. Soiling can be removed using brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Choosing the right steering system for your boat depends on the size of the boat and the type (and size) of the motor. Following the advice of this video will be a big help. The piece of wood will fit between the end of the hydraulic cylinder and the bracket that connects to the stainless steel ram itself, and it will lay against the stainless steel rod. Once the rod is fully extended, your helper should open the bleeder on the same side of the cylinder that the rod is extended from, and position a container beneath the bleeder hose. You did not get air into the sealed system unless someone opened it or there is a leak somewhere. This will begin to draw new hydraulic fluid from the gravity feed into the helm pump. 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