Trojan Boat Forum

I recently bought a 1981 F-32 Trojan , it has the syten steering system. The helm really has to be turned a lot to steer the boat and if you turn to lock on either side and either helm the wheel will continue to turn with just a little more resistance at the locks. When underway any small course correction needs a rapid turn of the wheel , turning the wheel slowly does nothing !
I would appreciate any help you guys can give me, at this time I cant afford to buy a new steering system.
I'm not a stranger to hydraulics but I can't find any bleeders at the helms either . This is driving me nuts...

The bleeders are on the ram that hooks up to the rudder. Hopefully that is your only issue. I don't think these are supported anymore.

Thanks Big D... That's a start.

Big D wrote:The bleeders are on the ram that hooks up to the rudder. Hopefully that is your only issue. I don't think these are supported anymore.

Syten system is discontinued, as are all related parts. Teleflex makes a new system that you an replace it with, but you will be replacing all parts.

Small screw cap looking thing on top of each 'hub' behind your wheels are fill / bleed valves. Don't open the one on lower station or you will dump a mess of hydraulic fluid all over your floor/carpet. Just open the one on the bridge and see first of all if it needs fluid added. If so, add fluid, put cap on, crank wheel a zillion times, remove cap and check again, repeat... I am using Hydrex MV 22 fluid in mine.

There is no nice 'bleed valve' in the system.

One other problem you could be encountering is simple issues with the check valves in the system - they get dirty over time and don't seal properly. So when you crank the wheel the fluid is forced to the ram, but the 'seal' isn't good enough around the check valves to keep it there so the compressed fluid eventually just runs back out...

If this is your problem (and not just low fluid level) sounds like you have a pretty severe case. With my system, if I am running with a stiff cross wind on a 35-40 mile course, I need to turn the wheel about 2-3 revolutions into the wind over the course of the run to keep the boat going straight.... but if you have to crank like a bugger to get it to do anything, your valves may be shot.

Where are the check valves? I think they are dirty but I can't find them...

captainmaniac wrote:Syten system is discontinued, as are all related parts. Teleflex makes a new system that you an replace it with, but you will be replacing all parts.

Small screw cap looking thing on top of each 'hub' behind your wheels are fill / bleed valves. Don't open the one on lower station or you will dump a mess of hydraulic fluid all over your floor/carpet. Just open the one on the bridge and see first of all if it needs fluid added. If so, add fluid, put cap on, crank wheel a zillion times, remove cap and check again, repeat... I am using Hydrex MV 22 fluid in mine.

There is no nice 'bleed valve' in the system.

One other problem you could be encountering is simple issues with the check valves in the system - they get dirty over time and don't seal properly. So when you crank the wheel the fluid is forced to the ram, but the 'seal' isn't good enough around the check valves to keep it there so the compressed fluid eventually just runs back out...

If this is your problem (and not just low fluid level) sounds like you have a pretty severe case. With my system, if I am running with a stiff cross wind on a 35-40 mile course, I need to turn the wheel about 2-3 revolutions into the wind over the course of the run to keep the boat going straight.... but if you have to crank like a bugger to get it to do anything, your valves may be shot.

There is something they call a 'Uniflow Valve', that hoses from the steering pumps connect to; then lines go from it to the steering ram. If you PM me with your email address I can try to send you a copy of the Syten 'manual' I have from 1979 that includes diagrams (I will need to scan it to PDF first, may take a day or two to get to it).

Note again, that no parts are available for this system, so if you try to clean it and end up buggering something, you may be in replacement mode whether you want to or not.

Where is the uniflo valve located? Anyone know?

I usually see the proportioning valves in the stern close to the steering ram. Look on the transom or supports around the rudder area. Most makes I've seen are rectangular metal blocks. You'll see hydraulic lines attached.

Yo Daddy ... just sent you the pdf. If you figure out how to clean the system and eliminate the problem, would certainly like to know how to go about it. Most members of the forum will likely find the info useful sooner or later.

You are the man... Thank you. I will post all of my findings. I also found all kinds of parts for the syten system. Teleflex has a lot of things that will fit via adapters. The only thing you can't get is the pump from what I've found.

captainmaniac wrote:Yo Daddy ... just sent you the pdf. If you figure out how to clean the system and eliminate the problem, would certainly like to know how to go about it. Most members of the forum will likely find the info useful sooner or later.

captainmaniac wrote:Yo Daddy ... just sent you the pdf. If you figure out how to clean the system and eliminate the problem, would certainly like to know how to go about it. Most members of the forum will likely find the info useful sooner or later.

Check your PM, I would like a copy too.

ready123 wrote:Check your PM, I would like a copy too.

Micheal - its on its way.

[quote="DaddysGirls"]. I also found all kinds of parts for the syten system. Teleflex has a lot of things that will fit via adapters. The only thing you can't get is the pump from what I've found.

can you pass on this info?
what did you find? where did you find it? no one i ever spoke with wanted to help they justed wanted me to purchase new.

I to would be interested in what daddies girl commented on about adapting teleflex parts onto syten system.

I'll post the website. I just Google "teleflex Syten steering" ... there is a website with the number 2 in the web address. I forget what it was at the moment and I'm on my cell so I can't look. Also I emailed teleflex. They were very helpful. They told me about the parts fitting.