Hydraulic steering issues????

[adm1476]

I have seastar hydraulic steering on my 1990 Aquasport 22 cc boat. It is hard to turn and had play in the wheel. Once the play is removed it steers but feels almost bumpy. Could it be low on fluid or is there something more serious wrong???

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Hydraulic steering issues????

It sounds like air in the helm or line...try to bleed it. You should also remove the hydraulic unit from the motor and see if the motor moves freely by hand. I am about to junk my motor because the steering swivel arm is a mess and I could not move the motor by hand. I broke the arm (100% my fault) while trying to free it and it is a big $$ job to fix it! The power of the hydraulic unit can mask steering issues. At the wheel my steering was stiff but I could still use it...once I removed the unit from the motor I (200lbs) could not move the motor at all!