Hydraulic Steering
 

What is the best way to refill a completely empty SeaStar hydraulic steering system? I replaced the hoses on my Seabird the other day and need to get it working again.

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Scott, fill up the reservoir and turn the wheel lock to lock a few times, loosen the nut on the helm, let the air out, and refill. Repeat this process many many wonderful times and you should be good to go. :rolleyes:

But knowing a punk like you, you probably put the lines on backwards. :D

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Scott

See if you can get your Dad to help. It's better with two people as one turns the wheel as the other loosens and tightens the bleeder valve. Use a small cup to catch the fluid under the bleeder valve and then re-use.

BTW: Keep mucho rags handy like Funster keeps in his cabin http://www.floridasportsman.com/art/tooth.gif

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

His old system probably doesn't have a bleeder valve.

Surly Gomer Chuck would have this in his Sears catalog.http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ae...smiley-025.gif

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

put oil vertical on top of binical with poly tube cut hole bottle top go lock to lock no bleaders, a couple otimes works great

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Scott, I ran out to the barn and snapped these two photos
of my 1 man SeaStar purge system. PVC, barbed fittings,
5/16 hose all from local plumbing supply for under $20. Nylon fitting into helm filler plug, long hose from side of PVC tube to either side of hydraulic ram on motor.
Just hang tube above helm fill up tube, open bleeder turn wheel till no bubbles come out of ram. Reverse process for other direction of steering. It takes about 3 times turning wheel real slow to get all the air out. If you want more detailed photos, let me know. See ya Ken
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...4/PDR_0008.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...PDR_0007-1.jpg
BTW: I just replaced the ram seals before Anclote and a
quart of SeaStar fluid was almost $15 :(

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Nice snap shot Ken.

Here are SeaStar purging instructions
web page

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Ken,
Is there anything you don't have in that barn of yours? :)

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Ken, he didn't ask for a freak'n enema. :D

I don't think so... :D

Re: Hydraulic Steering
 

Yo Fungster,

That was remnants of my old bong from college days :rolleyes:
I had to find some other use for it.

And Carla, thats why I had to build the barn because,
I just cannot throw anything away!!!! :D

See ya, Ken