Trojan Boat Forum

I have an upper & lower helm. They both have the same steering issue. Turning to the starboard side seems responsive & pretty normal. Turning to the port side is another story. I have to turn the wheel several full rotations just to get any response. Not to mention I have no idea where the rudders are because of the response issue (just makes parking a lil more exciting, lol) I added fluid & they didn't help. I'm thinking I have a bad check valve or the system needs a good bleeding. Anyone else have this problem?

Might be worth having someone at the helm in port while you dive under the boat and watch what is happening while the wheel is turned through its full movement.

If you're sure you've bled the system thoroughly, it sounds like you may have a shuttle valve in one of the helms that's sticking. Don't know the kind of units you have but I believe that in general they are not that difficult to get at and dismantle the valve for a cleaning. Debris in the system is a big culprit. If there are any signs lof eaking, you may as well purchase a rebuild kit.

If they're easy to access, check the valves at both helms or isolate the helms by removing and capping lines at one helm to determine which helm is causing the problem. If you have an autopilot pump, suspect it as well.

please post what brand of hydraulic steering. there should be a name somewhere.
hope its not a syten system these units are not supported anymore.

g36 wrote:please post what brand of hydraulic steering. there should be a name somewhere.
hope its not a syten system these units are not supported anymore.

Sorry for the dwlay in my response. I went to the boat last night & it does have the Syten System... I think it has a bad check valve.

the syten system way made up until 1984 by teleflex which no longer has parts or supports these units. heres a link to an article where the syten helm can be taken apart. i had a leaking seal on mine at the lower helm otherwise it was operating fine. i was able to successfully disassemble mine just like the article shoed. i figured what the heck. if you can get it apart then you could pursue looking for the part you need to repair yours. good luck
you can also go to the search feature on this forum and search syten. you will see other comments (some are the ones i started)however none of the links people posted for parts/service were viable. i called each one. most had to do with the hynautic not syten system which we have. i have found no parts availbale other than buying a used helm from ebay/craigslist etc.maybe take that apart or use it to replace yours. please let me know if you do find a source for parts etc.

http://home.comcast.net/~e29290/syten%2 ... repair.pdf

Thank you... This helps... I think I have a check valve that's stuck or clogged or something...