Steering another problem

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:04 pm

Went to turn the rudders and the steering quit working. I am low on hydraulic fluid. I found the culprit a slightly loose connection at the valve actuator. It has been leaking for a long time. Now I have to bleed the system. First I have to lean the system. It may not be to hard to bleed it. I will stop and get a tire pump and some fluid. I have to get it going first before I can set my rudders. yep Looks like a long day.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:20 pm

When you get the pump get one that has a quick release lever on it. If you get a pump that screws on the valve stem, you will loose the preasure before you can screw it off. Keep the pump on the boat. I mounted mine on the inside of the cabinet door below the sink right next to the fire extinguisher.

The stearing will not work without preasure. Without a pump you can't fix it at sea.

I have a Hynautics steering system. Bleeding the system is easy. With the reservoir full of fluid and preasurized (40 psi), Turn the wheelback and forth, from lock to lock. Do this 20 times at each helm station. Be sure to check the fluid level and preasure after 5, 10, 15, & 20 cycles. (You could have someone watch the reservoir while you thrn the wheel.) If low, fill and repreasurize. Don't let the reservoir run out of fluid, or preasure. If it does you will have to start over.

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:26 pm

Thanks for the reply, Now I have a little better hope of getting it done tomarrow. LOL, Yes the locking type would be the best and I sure will try and get one for sure. I have lots going on tomarrow so it should be a full day. Plus I have a diner I need to go to. Why me?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:53 pm

Just went thru the same time in my buddys Viking . I filled it up pumped it up to 22 psi (20-30 is ok ) worked the wheel back and forth and it was fine never had to bleed it . The owner said it felt better then it every had . Maybe you'll luck out .

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:31 am

Prowlersfish, Now that would be great if it works for me. I will know today. Lots to do and little time to do it. Well there is always tomarrow. We definately would like to take the boat back saturday. I should be able to make that. We shall see.

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:49 pm

Well I added the hydraulic fluid , according to the manual. 25 - 35 lbs. I set it at 30 lbs. Steering worked great. I did turn it several times from side to side and had to add more fluid but it was not bad to get it back and working. Looks like the steering is ok. Also set the rudders.
Now we wait on the bottom painting and back into the water. Due to sons work schedule it will be weds, or friday of next week.
That is fine. It will give me time to do some other things to the boat.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:49 pm

Are you you going to be at the boat this weekend ? I may ride by and say hello .

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:12 pm

Both my son and I should be there. I am not sure how soon in the morning we will be there but I would say 10 would be fine. We might get there sooner. Would be glad to have you come by and get to meet you.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:36 pm

Gotta love gears and chains!

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:46 pm

Chains and gears? Sure glad they got away from that. I can't imagine a rusty chain and gears on a boat. Wow.

lakeguy72 · Post by **lakeguy72** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:17 pm

The chains and gears system works well and doesn't loose fluid. The mechanical advantage in that system makes steering my F-32 feel like a runabout with power steering. I have over 2000 hours on mine and all you need to do is to grease it periodically. It holds a course well on long runs on Long Island Sound.
Lakeguy

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:20 pm

Give me hydraulic any day .

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:43 pm

Now since I have a auto pilot I will take hydraulic's any day. Our autopilot can keep the boat on course better than a person can at any speed. I believe chain would have to much play in it to do that.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:50 pm

Chain works & if it was already in my boat I wouldn't change it, but it doesn't compare to hydraulics.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:29 pm

Chain and gear boxes work great (1 rebuild of helm box in 36 years is pretty good) - and last and lasts ... grease the boxes occasionally - but you will NEVER be let down by a hydraulic leak offshore!

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Steering another problem

Steering another problem

Steering Another Problem