Hynautic Steering Helm Leak

peterb · #1 03-13-2005, 11:43 AM

The other day I got out the bicycle pump and put about 15 pounds of pressure into my Hynautic system. It seemed to work fine at the time.

The next day I checked it and saw two things. First, I had lost all pressure. Second, I saw steering fluid on the deck and coming out by the steering wheel. To me it looks like the fluid is coming out of the hynautic steering box. I will verify this this afternoon.

Any ideas what's wrong. Should I attempt to unscrew the box from the three cables and either bring it to a local marina or ship it to hynautics for repair? Are are there things that I can/should further check out on my own.

Any/all input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

Bigshrimpin · #2 03-13-2005, 12:58 PM

http://forum.classicseacraft.com/sho...rev=#Post23974

If you sure that it's not leaking from anywhere else . . . the seals need to be replaced. You can do it yourself. Hynautic was bought by teleflex. Teleflex's customer service is absolutely terrible . . .

peterb · #3 03-13-2005, 08:52 PM

Thanks Bigshrimpin for the feedback.

I did see leakage coming out where you see the threads in the corners.

It stinks that Hynautics is no longer around. I removed the helm piece. I will call around to some local hydraulic repairmen in Northern NJ to see if anyone cares to fix it for me.

I would be afraid of screwing it up.

salvagefirst · #4 03-13-2005, 09:54 PM

there are 3 hynautic seal kits on ebay plus cylinders and helms, they usually dont bring very much. Les

Bigshrimpin · #5 03-13-2005, 11:11 PM

http://www.charment.com/hynautic.htm

These guys are super helpful and very reasonable, but I have seen several kits on ebay too. $22 or so for the h-50 helm seal kit.

peterb · #6 03-14-2005, 08:43 PM

FYI, I took my Hynautic H25 helm pump to a local hydraulic repair shop. They seemed fairly confident that they can replaced the broken seals.

I was then wondering about how I will bleed the setup. I came across the attached Hynautic directions which seem fairly helpful.

http://www.seastarsteering.com/PDFs/182000-A.pdf

peterb · #7 03-16-2005, 07:31 PM

Charman is a company based in Indiana that sells boat hydraulic parts, as well as fixes the units. Other people on classicseacraft have said good things about them. Here is my brief experience with them so far.

I took my 28 year old Hynautics helm pump to a local hydraulics shop. They opened it up and said that while the seals seemsed to be fine the casing for the seals was bad (like swiss cheese). My local boys said that they could machine a replacement part, but advised against it becuase of cost (up to $450). They told me to go buy another unit.

As a last ditch effort I reached out to Charman on the phone. The women who I spoke to said that they have all of the Hynautic parts, including the casing for the seals. As a comparison, she told me that this part would cost me $69 (verses the $450 above).

Net/net, she said that they will charge me a flat fee of $90 for labor, plus parts. If the project looks like it will be too costly she will tell me as such.

Also, she said that they should be able to complete the work wtihin several days after receiving the unit. I will let you know what happens. Stay tuned.

peterb · #8 03-21-2005, 02:52 PM

Well, I just spoke with the nice people over at Charman. They say that I need a new housing and shaft. With parts and labor it will come to about $210. I guess that's better than spending $600 on a new helm pump. It should be ready in about 1 week.

Spidercrab · #9 03-21-2005, 10:04 PM

hi mr peterb
I have old pullie steering and its lasts me for
many years and very low for repars

sam