Syten steering finally died!

ScurvyDog · Post by **ScurvyDog** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:33 am

My old Syten steering system finally quit working on the weekend. It has a number of leaks and has been really a pain to keep working through the years. I have a 1978 F32 dual helm boat with Merc 228 engines. Anyone replace their steering system and what did you use? I have done some research on the internet and there seems to be many choices.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:30 am

Based on availability I would think teleflex would be about the only choice . What went out on the system ?

ScurvyDog · Post by **ScurvyDog** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:50 am

The seals on both helms are leaking, then yesterday the ram started to leak at the shaft. It is time to replace the system as it has never been reliable.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:26 pm

With all those seals leaking sounds like the wrong fluid was used at sometime

ScurvyDog · Post by **ScurvyDog** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:34 pm

I have only used teleflex steering fluid as was recommended to me. The fluid I drained out of the system was a horrible grey color with a much thicker viscosity.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:13 pm

i have had to replace the lower helm on my 78 f32. i have the syten system and now a new lower seastar helm but i see no reason to replace the whole thing. you dont have to replace the whole system but you can replace the helm pumps and the cylinder without replacing all the tubing. it will be with the seastar parts. if you want to replace all including running new lines of course thats up to you

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:26 pm

Teleflex does not sell direct. The sales department refers any questions to the tech dept's voice mail. They actually do call you back tho.
Sytten parts are no longer made but have been replaced with Seastar brand by teleflex.

I just repolaced my cylinder. If you need new lines, I believe they are all inexpensive plastic (nylon?) and about 50 cents a foot.
The least expensive wholesaler I found was http://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/. They had everything in stacok, shipped same day and charged low freight and no tax.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:45 pm

ScurvyD, call Teleflex directly in BC. They are usually very helpful and have a guy (sorry don't recall his name) who will tell you exactly what you'll need to replace your current helm pumps. Give him as much info as possible like your current helm pump and ram model. They have a pretty good system on-line for determining what you need yourself but if you can talk to this guy he can answer any questions you may have including installation.

TC · Post by TC » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:20 pm

A some may remember I made a post about a month ago looking for assistance on sourcing seals for my Hynautic system. The upper helm started leaking 3 miles out on day one of holidays. My marina found a seal kit for me and I did the repair. The seal kit was $50 in my hand, taxes and shipping included. A helm unit I priced was anywhere from $600 - $800. My point being it would be far cheaper to seal it, assuming no metal damages, than replace it. A ram, if no parts can be found could be replaced with a little imagination. A friend replaced his this summer with a hydraulic unit from Princess Auto, a tools, equipment, and hydraulic supply here in Canada.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:47 am

TC wrote:A some may remember I made a post about a month ago looking for assistance on sourcing seals for my Hynautic system. The upper helm started leaking 3 miles out on day one of holidays. My marina found a seal kit for me and I did the repair. The seal kit was $50 in my hand, taxes and shipping included. A helm unit I priced was anywhere from $600 - $800. My point being it would be far cheaper to seal it, assuming no metal damages, than replace it. A ram, if no parts can be found could be replaced with a little imagination. A friend replaced his this summer with a hydraulic unit from Princess Auto, a tools, equipment, and hydraulic supply here in Canada.

as mentioned earlier you cannot buy the seals for the helm pumps on the syten system. the design was that it was not made to open and replace the seals. i did find info on a way to do this and did get it apart. however the housing cracked on me upon reassembly. hemp pumps are way less than 600-800, i did measure and cross the seals to todays part numbers, you may have luck opening and replacing but keep in mind it was not made to do this.
i installed this helm from here along with and adaptor plate (ha5418)that was needed. i have made several posts on the helm replacement. the seastar is the teleflex replacement for the f32. lower station needs non vented fill cap (ha5432)

http://www.lowcostboatingstore.com/TELE ... p_378.html.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:53 am

you still can get seals for Hynautic units and there made to be repaired , The Syten units are a different story I guess .

g36 · Post by **g36** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:53 am

ScurvyDog · Post by **ScurvyDog** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:31 am

Not that I want to spend money, but this Syten system never ran smooth. Even when bleed of air it was very stiff and jerky. I am still researching what my best options are, but a couple of the hose fittings are weeping, the lower helm would weep slightly, and now the ram is leaking. My gut tells me it is time to retire the system due to the lack of easily accessible parts. I am leaning towards the Teleflex Seastar system.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:59 am

I have had minor leaks at my Syten cylinder since I bought the boat (11 years ago), and I know some checkvalves are shot as the steering 'creeps' if I have a strong a crosswind (I have to continually and gradually turn into the wind to keep the boat going straight - I have put a full turn and half on the wheel on a 30 mile trip to keep to going straight).

So, in short, I have been thinking of replacing my system for a long time (with a new SeaStar setup). Maybe you can be my guinea pig! Let us all know what you end up doing and how it goes.

ScurvyDog · Post by **ScurvyDog** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:24 pm

captainmaniac wrote:I have had minor leaks at my Syten cylinder since I bought the boat (11 years ago), and I know some checkvalves are shot as the steering 'creeps' if I have a strong a crosswind (I have to continually and gradually turn into the wind to keep the boat going straight - I have put a full turn and half on the wheel on a 30 mile trip to keep to going straight).

So, in short, I have been thinking of replacing my system for a long time (with a new SeaStar setup). Maybe you can be my guinea pig! Let us all know what you end up doing and how it goes.

That is exactly how my system has been for the past 4-5 years. I would put tonnes more effort into steering than should have been needed and it would creep all the time. Enough is enough. I will keep all informed.