Sluggish and binding steering

wildbill · Post by **wildbill** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:58 am

I have a '78 F-32 with hydraulic steering. The lower helm is hard to turn and the rudder travel is inconsistant(ie sometimes it's 5 turns from full left to right and sometimes 11, and sometimes doesn't move). Not looking to dump a lot of money in the boat right now due to other issues with it, but is it worth replacing the hydraulic components, or is there a cable system out there that I could change over to. The boat also has a flying bridge...
Thanks

g36 · Post by **g36** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:08 am

what is the steering like from the flybridge? i have a 78 f32 with hyrdaulic steering probably the same as you.(syten system) although i do have a new lower hem pump now due to a leak that the old one had. have you checked for fluid loss(at the helm or stering cylinder or any of the lines connecting the two) or know how you are on your fluid? might have air in the lines. could be a valve in the lower helm also. the bad thing if it is the syten helm is that it is not made to disassemble it.
if you have to add fluid it is done at the flybridge helm fill port

wildbill · Post by **wildbill** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:15 am

The upper helm is locked up tight...the boat was salvaged about 5 years ago after it sunk at the pier due to getting caught under the dock in a storm. I rebuilt both engines and transmission, rewired everything, and the steeing is the last puzzel piece before I can get on the water. I also don't see any labels on the helm pumps, any thoughts on replacements?
Thanks

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:08 pm

lower helm sounds like low fluid and low air pressure . fill it pressurize it and work it back and forth . look for leaks . Upper helm new pump for sure .unless you can break it lose .

my f 36 uses a HYNAUTIC system

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:13 pm

If it's dual station, you should also be adding fluid from the bridge station (highest point in the hydraulic system). If you pull the plug down below you could have a heck of a mess on your hands (and console, and floor).

Checkvalves in steering cylinder can also go bad on you... so if topping up fluid doesn't help, the hydraulic ram would be the next thing to swap out. Syten system parts are no longer available, but from what I have heard/read some more modern Teleflex system components are compatible.

Search the forum for steering or helm or teleflex for related posts where other members have talked about or performed system repairs or repairs/upgrades.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:57 pm

Many system you add it at the tank not the helm HYNAUTIC is one of them ,

Best to find what system you have ,

Is there a tank by the rudders .?

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:58 am

The symptoms you describe are just what my steering was doing when it got low on fluid due to a leak at the hydraulic cylinder. Try adding fluid first.

wildbill · Post by **wildbill** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:29 am

No tanknear the ram, or anywhere else I can find. The ram seems to be in good shape as well. I've seen some helm pumps and complete systems on ebay, are most helms the same? or do they have different flow capacities per turn? I'm fine with s#$t-canning the system for a new one since it's a safety item.
Thanks

g36 · Post by **g36** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:23 am

i will again suggest you have the syten system. there is no tank

check the fluid level. add if needed in the fill port on the flybridge. if the system is in decent shape (i.e. hydraulic tubing is not damaged)you can replace the helm pump with a new seastar hh5271. you can also replace the cylinder there is also a uniflow valve in this system that i guess could be the culprit. have you disconnected the steering cylinder from the rudders? have you opened the fittings at the cylinder or helm and see if you have any fluid? the helm pump on the flybridge fill port is vented the helm pump in the salon is not. as stated you can if prepared with a rag is to open the lower helm pump fill port and see if fluid comes out there also. you could loosen the connections on the helm pumps and try rotating the steering wheel and see what it is thats frozen. does it move then? does it push some fluid out? etc

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:21 pm

HYNAUTIC uses a tank if you don't then you may have a SYTEN system . of course you may have something else a lot can change on a boat in 30 years

From what I have read here F 32 and smaller used SYTEN if hyd. steering and HYNAUTIC when a F36 and Larger ? any thoughts on this

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:42 pm

My F36 has the hynautic system, you know bicycle pump standard onboard equipment!

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:55 am

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Trojan Boat Forum

Sluggish and binding steering

Sluggish and binding steering

just checked the upper helm