[Dave Hirshberg]

Check to make sure the aluminum ears that bolt to the trim tube on the motor move up and down freely. Sometimes these corrode and bind as you tilt the motor. This causes the chrome bar to pull against the hydraulic ram and break the seal causing a leak. Sea star has a fill kit with a hose that screws into the helm and allows you to turn the wheel back and forth to bleed the air. It makes a mess when you disconnect it. If yours is puddling as bad as you say you will probably need to buy a rebuild kit, then make sure and follow the steps above.