Steering Question.

[Luna Sea 5]

Twin evinrudes.  I noticed the last few weeks my steering is slipping, mostly at higher speeds and less at lower speeds.  I checked and filled the steering fluid, tightened the cap, seems like there may be air in it, but I doubt it.  I turned the wheel hard all the way in both directions, but nothing helped.  Any other suggestions I may try.  Can there be something lose by the engines that I may need to look at.

[CapBob]

Nick

Did you bleed the air out? That would do it.

[Luna Sea 5]

not sure how.  I filled up the steering fluid container, filled it, closed it, then turned the wheel many times, thinking that was how to bleed it.  Is there another way I may be missing.

[CapBob]

There should be a release valve on each end of the steering cylinder....you have one guy turn the wheel all the way one way and open the one valve to bleed it, then turn it the other way and open the other valve.....do you have a Sea Star Unit?

[Luna Sea 5]

I have to check, the only valve I see is the on my wheel is attached to.  I open it, fill it, close it.. maybe I should leave it open when I turn the wheel in both directions, then close it.  There is nothing else on my steering column. Is there something else closer to the engines I should look at.

[IrishAyes]

As CaptBob said, the system needs to be bled. Air in the line will compress, oil will not.

If there are no bleeder valves on your cylinder you will need to crack the lines open where they attach at the ends of the cylinder.

[Luna Sea 5]

Ok, so there should be a valve on the hydrolic cylinder that connects to the engines.  What if I turned the wheel will the cap on the steering column open..

[Luna Sea 5]

after some online research, I still can't figure this out.  I filled the fluid at the helm, now I think I am supposed to shut that cap, then untwist a cap on the hydrolic cylinder a couple of turns, then turn the wheel a bunch of times.. then do the same to the other cap on the cylinder.. does this sound correct.

[IrishAyes]

Nick, here is the directions I found for a SeaStar system. Most other systems should operate the same. 


SeaStar Fill & Purge,
Single Station - One Cylinder
Step 1: Screw the threaded end of the fi ller tube
into the helm fi ller hole. Remove the cap from the
oil bottle and holding upright, screw into the fi ller
tube bottle cap. Turn bottle upside down and poke
hole in the bottom of the bottle. Fill the helm pump
full of oil (oil should always be visible in the fi ller
tube). Use the next bottle at any time through out the
procedure when the oil level drops in the fi ller tube.
Do not proceed with Step 2 until helm is full of oil.
Step 2: Turn the steering wheel clockwise until
cylinder rod is fully extended on the right side of the
cylinder. Open right side bleeder.
Step 3: Holding the cylinder rod (to prevent it from
moving back into the cylinder), turn the steering
wheel coun ter clock wise until a steady stream of airfree
oil comes out of the bleeder. (Drain out about
1/2 bottle of oil as required.) Use only your hands
to restrain the cylinder rod. Do not use vise
grips, pliers or other metal tools to stop cylinder
rod from moving - these tools can damage the
cylinder rod, causing leakage to occur. Ordinary
hand strength is suffi cient to hold the rod. While
con tinu ing to turn the wheel, close the right side
bleeder and let go of the cylinder rod.
Step 4: Continue turning the steering wheel
coun ter clock wise until the cylinder rod is fully
extended to the left. (Steering wheel will come to a
stop). Open the left bleeder.
Step 5: Holding the cylinder rod to prevent it from
moving back into the cylinder, turn the steering
wheel clockwise until a steady stream of air-free
oil comes out of bleeder. Use only your hands to
restrain the cylinder rod. While continuing to turn
the wheel, close the left side bleeder and let go of
the cylinder rod. Fill and purge is now complete.

[Luna Sea 5]

guess its a 2 person operation

[CapBob]

Nick

Joe beat me to the punch......yes it is a two person job

[Luna Sea 5]

OH BOY.. Ok, next time down I will be looking for some help..

[CapBob]

Nick

Not a big thing at all, glad to help but I wont be around until Monday

[Luna Sea 5]

Bob, thats OK, I can probably get to the boat after work sometime next week, get there around 5pm.  If your around, I would be grateful to get your help and get this over with.  I feel like I'm going to lose control at higher speeds.. Let me know what works for you.  We can go for a beer afterwards, I owe you one.

[CapBob]

Nick Weds would be good........give me a shout Mon or Tues...(I'll be away this weekend) ......848-218-2425

[Luna Sea 5]

will do, thanks a bunch

[IrishAyes]

Nick, next time down to your boat, check to see where the fluid leaked out. Usually doesn't just evaporate. Check around the hoses on the cylinder at the motor and check the helm. More often than not, leaking around the back side of the helm. May have to check behind the console to see that area.

If you do not see any leaks, just do the bleeding act.

[Luna Sea 5]

it might not be leaking.  I had to fill it a month back and when I did is when I probably got the air in the line. 

[DarthBaiter]

Hey all, first time posting here on NJsaltwaterfisherman.
Ihad to change my ruptured hydraulic hose a few days ago so I had to fill my steering fluid.
First of, get the "filler hose" kit from Teleflex or a 1/4 male NPT to hose barb fitting and some hose to make your own "filler tube". With out this, I could not get the system to bleed out all the way.  You attach the 1/4NPT to the filler hole on the steering and tilt the fluid bottle upside down. Now when ever you turn the steering, air bubbles will go into the bottle and put more fluid in the system.
Hope that helps.

[ped579]