hydraulic steering issue I think?

[lingcod]

I bought a new boat and am installing a uniflex actuator with a seastar helm. after bleeding the system 4 times, I am still having one issue that concerns me. if I turn the steering wheel to lock on either side, I can apply pressure in the lock direction and the wheel slowly keeps turning. it is kind of a jerking motion, wheel turns very slowly. this is causing the wheel to come back to center in a different position every time. Is this normal? I have never driven a boat with hydraulic steering before so I don't know. If not normal, what could it be? no leaks anywhere and like I said, system has been bled 4 times and I can't get any air out of it. Also, everything is brand new out of the box.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

Teleflex hydraulic helms don't have a center point. Most are used with a destroyer wheel for that reason.

If you put the wheel hard over to lock and hold it there with moderate pressure it should hold and the helm not turn. However, if you release the wheel at all and re-apply the helm will move.

Even the smallest leak can cause problems. I had a situation where my outboard tilted up and centered would fall to one side overnight. The cause was a very very small seepage, not even a drip at a helm to hose fitting.

Clean and dry your connections with brake clean and pressure test. The Seastar fluid is clear and hard to see.

What kind of boat engine setup are you working on?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

If no leakage in any connections, cylinders, shafts etc, most likely a minor 'leakage' in the valves.
But why do you apply pressure when at the end stop??
If valve leakages it often settle with time, like a 'run-in' period of the engine.
It may take a couple of years however depending on usage.

 

[lingcod]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

Thanks for the replies. the boat is a 2009 Northwest Jet 218 lightning with a 150 yamaha prop. The fluid that i am running is actually blue so leaks would be easy to see. are you saying that there should be a definate "stop" and then no movement? That is not the case with mine. mine has a "stop" but continues around. I will have to go over everything once more but I do like the steering and will be out on the water tomorrow.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

A 'naughty' way of testing is to adjust your trim tab all the way to one side.
The go on plane and steer a straight line.
If the boat keeps a straight line without you having to keep on turning the wheel, your system is OK, and valves are holding up.
If on the other side You have to 'follow up' with the wheel all the time, you have a leak, internal or external.
Do not forget to put your trim-tab back again after test!!

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

I can apply pressure in the lock direction and the wheel slowly keeps turning. it is kind of a jerking motion, wheel turns very slowly.

There is no stop in the helm. The helm should hold pressure at full stop when the motor turns as far as it can. I'm talking about a firm operator input at the wheel. The jerking motion you describe is normal if you let up on the wheel even slightly. The internal valves reseting will make a bit of noise, the wheel will continue to turn as you describe. Sometimes the teleflex does this at low speed.

The main thing is it should only have about an inch of play in the wheel at cruise. Should be hands free. If you let go of the wheel the boat should continue on course.

Thats one gorgeous boat. Wish I could check it for you in person.

Whats up with the blue fluid?

 

[lingcod]

Re: hydraulic steering issue I think?

There is no stop in the helm. The helm should hold pressure at full stop when the motor turns as far as it can. I'm talking about a firm operator input at the wheel. The jerking motion you describe is normal if you let up on the wheel even slightly. The internal valves reseting will make a bit of noise, the wheel will continue to turn as you describe. Sometimes the teleflex does this at low speed.

The main thing is it should only have about an inch of play in the wheel at cruise. Should be hands free. If you let go of the wheel the boat should continue on course.

Thats one gorgeous boat. Wish I could check it for you in person.

Whats up with the blue fluid?

I took the seastar fluid to our local oil distributor and he took the specs and gave me som marine grade hydaulic fluid that matched the specs. saved a bunch of $$$. seatar is 20 bucks a quart, this stuff is 17 bucks a gallon. written on the jug is

Kendall Hyken Glacial
Blue ISO VG 15
Hydraulic Oil.