SeaStar Hydraulic Steering

jim t · 09-09-2008, 07:27 PM

The SeaStar Hydraulic Steering on my Shamrock (inboard motor) has gotten very stiff with a big "flat spot" (sudden no feel area" as I turn the wheel from stop to stop. The lower steering is almost unusable.

This only happens on the lower station... the upper station works fine. Fluid quantity is okay at both stations.

I have a new "seal kit" so I'm gonna try to replace those o-rings this week. I've heard it's a pretty easy job. Drain all the fluid in the system, dismantle helm, replace o-rings, reassemble, refill, and bleed. The helm is "forward mounted" and there is quite a bit of mostly blind space on the backside. Should I dismount the helm pump for access or is it pretty easy to feel the parts that need to be removed?

Anything else I should check as I attempt this job?

Thanks,

Jim

Tuna Man · 09-09-2008, 07:35 PM

Can't help you on this one Jim...but welcone home....see you have been gone about a month.

Sequoiha · 09-09-2008, 10:20 PM

Jim, you stated the fluid quantity was ok,, this indicates to me there is no leak,, there for a seal kit isnt going to help.. it appears to me the the hydraulic pump in the lower helm has failed. :usaflag

Capt. Bob Quarles · 09-09-2008, 10:40 PM

Kenny.. you are sohelpful.... not sure what time you guys open but I'll be there early in the morning.

Tuna Man · 09-09-2008, 11:54 PM

Jim....maybe it's time to try my idea (in the PM).....(scratching head)...from the sound of things...what will it hurt:banghead

I know some are wondering...

http://fishthebridge.com/fishingforu...ighlight=lucas

Sequoiha · 09-10-2008, 07:57 AM

Ron, your link adddress cable steering... Jim is talking about Hydraulic Steering.. atleast that is what i gather from his post,, I could be wrong....:usaflag

Breeze Fabricators · 09-10-2008, 09:08 AM

Jim, If the lower station has any air space in it then fill it to the brim. Let a little fluid squeeze out as you screw in the plug. Spin it lock to lock several times and recheck for an air space refill if necessary. Also does the upper station have any loose spots in it?

X-Shark · 09-10-2008, 10:29 AM

The lower station should not have air in it and you can't fill at the lower station when you have a upper station.

When you have 2 stations, the lower station will have a nonvented plug where you would normally fill the helm. The upper station will be vented.

If the lower station were vented, all the fluid would run out that was filling the hoses and upper helm. It would do the same thing when you removed that nonvented helm plug.

jim t · 09-10-2008, 10:56 AM

No leaks in the system... I loosened the ventless cap at the lower unit a bit and fluid came out immrediately. Retightened.

No loose spots in the upper station.

Can the pump be rebuilt? I'm planning to head out in a couple hours.

Thanks,

Jim

jim t · 09-10-2008, 04:59 PM

Here's the latest... I pulled the helm (easy to do if a bit messy), as I drained the residual fluid I also got some rusty water out of the pump.

Anybody recommend someplace to have it rebuilt?

Jim

PS... that helm would leak just a verylittle on the coldest daysof winter...I'm guessing some moisture also found it's way in those cold o-rings.

09-09-2008, 07:27 PM	#1
jim t Neptune calls me "Daddy" Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,238	SeaStar Hydraulic Steering The SeaStar Hydraulic Steering on my Shamrock (inboard motor) has gotten very stiff with a big "flat spot" (sudden no feel area" as I turn the wheel from stop to stop. The lower steering is almost unusable. This only happens on the lower station... the upper station works fine. Fluid quantity is okay at both stations. I have a new "seal kit" so I'm gonna try to replace those o-rings this week. I've heard it's a pretty easy job. Drain all the fluid in the system, dismantle helm, replace o-rings, reassemble, refill, and bleed. The helm is "forward mounted" and there is quite a bit of mostly blind space on the backside. Should I dismount the helm pump for access or is it pretty easy to feel the parts that need to be removed? Anything else I should check as I attempt this job? Thanks, Jim __________________ GO GATORS!!!

09-09-2008, 07:35 PM	#2
Tuna Man Senior Member Grand Slam Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calera, AL....25 Miles S of Birmingham Posts: 6,581	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Can't help you on this one Jim...but welcone home....see you have been gone about a month.

09-09-2008, 10:20 PM	#3
Sequoiha Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 2,478	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Jim, you stated the fluid quantity was ok,, this indicates to me there is no leak,, there for a seal kit isnt going to help.. it appears to me the the hydraulic pump in the lower helm has failed. :usaflag __________________ Kenny Mann Ms Penny Fishing Team Member NRA 172499461 Minn Kota ASC Dealer for The Super Stick www.thesuperstick.com Emerald Coast Marine LLC Allmost Anything Computers 4610 Saufley Field Rd Pensacola Fl, 32526 1-850-456-8196 1-850-455-8318 Sequoiha@cox.net Kenny_Mann-ECM@cox.net

09-09-2008, 10:40 PM	#4
Capt. Bob Quarles Senior Member Mingo Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 161	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Kenny.. you are sohelpful.... not sure what time you guys open but I'll be there early in the morning.

09-09-2008, 11:54 PM	#5
Tuna Man Senior Member Grand Slam Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calera, AL....25 Miles S of Birmingham Posts: 6,581	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Jim....maybe it's time to try my idea (in the PM).....(scratching head)...from the sound of things...what will it hurt:banghead I know some are wondering... http://fishthebridge.com/fishingforu...ighlight=lucas

09-10-2008, 07:57 AM	#6
Sequoiha Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 2,478	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Ron, your link adddress cable steering... Jim is talking about Hydraulic Steering.. atleast that is what i gather from his post,, I could be wrong....:usaflag __________________ Kenny Mann Ms Penny Fishing Team Member NRA 172499461 Minn Kota ASC Dealer for The Super Stick www.thesuperstick.com Emerald Coast Marine LLC Allmost Anything Computers 4610 Saufley Field Rd Pensacola Fl, 32526 1-850-456-8196 1-850-455-8318 Sequoiha@cox.net Kenny_Mann-ECM@cox.net

09-10-2008, 09:08 AM	#7
Breeze Fabricators Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gulf Breeze Florida, onthe canal!! Posts: 1,157	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Jim, If the lower station has any air space in it then fill it to the brim. Let a little fluid squeeze out as you screw in the plug. Spin it lock to lock several times and recheck for an air space refill if necessary. Also does the upper station have any loose spots in it? __________________ Tim Scallan Breeze Fabricators Inc. 2932 Westfield Road Gulf Breeze Fl. 32563 850 554 6172/934 8609 BreezeFabricators.com

09-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#8
X-Shark Senior Member White Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola, Fl. Posts: 2,870	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering The lower station should not have air in it and you can't fill at the lower station when you have a upper station. When you have 2 stations, the lower station will have a nonvented plug where you would normally fill the helm. The upper station will be vented. If the lower station were vented, all the fluid would run out that was filling the hoses and upper helm. It would do the same thing when you removed that nonvented helm plug.

09-10-2008, 10:56 AM	#9
jim t Neptune calls me "Daddy" Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,238	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering No leaks in the system... I loosened the ventless cap at the lower unit a bit and fluid came out immrediately. Retightened. No loose spots in the upper station. Can the pump be rebuilt? I'm planning to head out in a couple hours. Thanks, Jim __________________ GO GATORS!!!

09-10-2008, 04:59 PM	#10
jim t Neptune calls me "Daddy" Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,238	RE: SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Here's the latest... I pulled the helm (easy to do if a bit messy), as I drained the residual fluid I also got some rusty water out of the pump. Anybody recommend someplace to have it rebuilt? Jim PS... that helm would leak just a verylittle on the coldest daysof winter...I'm guessing some moisture also found it's way in those cold o-rings. __________________ GO GATORS!!!

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