hydraulic steering

Mr. BrownTrout · 05-02-2009, 08:21 PM

Has anyone taken on the task of installing hydraulic steering???
I have been considering it as my steering is very difficult, don't know about lubing it???

tallswedeone · 05-03-2009, 07:57 AM

There isn't a lot of rocket science to installing a hydraulic steering system. I only have experience with the Teleflex Seastar brand and would recommend it.

1) Remove the old system which sometimes can be a challenge based on how the cable is routed and if the old cable is froze into the motor cylinder.
2) Typically when making the transition you will need to modify the dash by cutting additional holes to mount the pump (if the dash already has to big of a hole in it then you can go to Tap plastics and get an overlay to start fresh).
3) Run the hydraulic lines.
4) Install the hydraulic ram on the front of the engine.
5) Bleed the lines - much like bleeding brakes so bring a freind!

The Seastar website has formal instuctions and ram/helm deminsions. You will want to check the deminsions so you are sure everything will fit. Sometimes with tight motor wells and dash boards this can be an issue.

Have fun.

budnate · 05-04-2009, 04:57 AM

do yourself a big favor, grab a soda and Google hydraulic steering on the net, lots to read about it, and more imp there are a couple brands guys are having problems with.

peace,B.

lucky2 · 05-04-2009, 12:37 PM

I put a Seastar system in mine 2 years ago. Fairly easy to install. Taking out the old cable and helm was the hardest part.

Make sure you get the hoses long enough!!!
Make sure the cylinder is the right one for your motor!!

Finscent · 05-04-2009, 01:36 PM

I may have info for you but I need more information. Assuming we are talking about an outboard motor(not ajet,not a stern drive) there would also be a Baystar system which less expensive than the Seastar and works fine on motors up to 150 hp. The install is not overly complicated, but some hulls are trickier than others. A couple more details may help, so we can help you. Finscent

dieselpwr · 05-04-2009, 04:55 PM

Being a former rigger for NRB I have installed hundreds of these units, It's very straight forward, Like the others said before make sure your hoses are long enough, and I can't stress this enough make certain you do not use teflon tape on any of the treads (it will cause a clog) and most important MAKE certain you have the hoses routed correctly i.e. hose from helm that says port has to be connected to starbroad side of the clyinder, or you will be sterring backwards. And one more thing bleed the system until all the air bubbles are gone. The motor should not have free play when you push on it. Any help just give me a shout.

bluehewes · 05-21-2009, 01:13 PM

If you do end up doing this you'll wonder why you waited so long. I'll never own a boat that does not have it. If you end up doing it try and take some pics of the install I'm sure ppl on here would appreciate it.

biederboat · 05-22-2009, 07:39 PM

I just put in a Seastar system, the hardest part was deciding on the hydraulic hose routing around all the other cables. I had to relocated the cable (electric/shift) entry hole in the splashwell to avoid conflict with the hydraulci cylinder when it tilted. I spent the better part of a day on it. Was it worth it???? Absolutely!!!

Biederboat

O Tshawytcha · 05-22-2009, 08:13 PM

I ran into a small challenge when the new helm pump needed a bigger diameter hole than the old cable system. I just bolted a 1/4" ply wood board over the old hole so that the pilot bit on the hole saw had something to work with. Also if you have to drill holes in fiberglass take the time to tape them first so that you don't get any chipping of the gelcoat.

By far the best upgrade I have done to my boat!!!

O Tshawytcha · 05-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Oh yeah! Make sure you carry a quart of steering fluid for emergencies. Some one told me this and it saved my you know what at bouy 10. One of the hose fittings had worked loose and we ran low on fluid. All of a sudden NO STEERING. But since I had the filling hose and spare fluid it was no big deal...

tomictime · 05-23-2009, 08:49 PM

the fluid and the filling hose

great post !

Quote:

Originally Posted by O Tshawytcha

Oh yeah! Make sure you carry a quart of steering fluid for emergencies. Some one told me this and it saved my you know what at bouy 10. One of the hose fittings had worked loose and we ran low on fluid. All of a sudden NO STEERING. But since I had the filling hose and spare fluid it was no big deal...

Onokai · 05-24-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallswedeone

There isn't a lot of rocket science to installing a hydraulic steering system. I only have experience with the Teleflex Seastar brand and would recommend it.

1) Remove the old system which sometimes can be a challenge based on how the cable is routed and if the old cable is froze into the motor cylinder.
2) Typically when making the transition you will need to modify the dash by cutting additional holes to mount the pump (if the dash already has to big of a hole in it then you can go to Tap plastics and get an overlay to start fresh).
3) Run the hydraulic lines.
4) Install the hydraulic ram on the front of the engine.
5) Bleed the lines - much like bleeding brakes so bring a freind!

The Seastar website has formal instuctions and ram/helm deminsions. You will want to check the deminsions so you are sure everything will fit. Sometimes with tight motor wells and dash boards this can be an issue.

Have fun.

also the extra fiuld and filling hose is a must
I have done two of them-READ the instructions twice cut once
Mark

Bluefinn · 07-20-2010, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselpwr

Being a former rigger for NRB I have installed hundreds of these units, It's very straight forward, Like the others said before make sure your hoses are long enough, and I can't stress this enough make certain you do not use teflon tape on any of the treads (it will cause a clog) and most important MAKE certain you have the hoses routed correctly i.e. hose from helm that says port has to be connected to starbroad side of the clyinder, or you will be sterring backwards. And one more thing bleed the system until all the air bubbles are gone. The motor should not have free play when you push on it. Any help just give me a shout.

Jt,
Have you ever bled a twin set up with a hydraulic tie bar? Any help would be great. Thanks Rick