Lumpy hydraulic steering

[dan t.]

I just tried bleeding my steering for the first time (conversion to hydraulic from cable) I seem to have all the air out but the helm goes firm then loose every turn. With no oil it turns freely and the cylinder moves freely. As you turn the wheel the cylinder moves when the wheel goes firm and pauses when it goes loose. The helm is a Seastar 1, the cylinder is a Wagoner comercial unit (rebuilt). BTW what is so special about Seastar oil $36.00 per liter.

 

[dan t.]

Well I have been doing lots of research, good info on The Hull Truth, I suspect there was a stuck piston in the helm unit, the problem seems to have cured itself, the wheel is now smooth to turn and the ram moves smoothly. As for oil I just talked to an old commercial fisherman on sunday, all he has used for the last 50 years has been ordinary hydraulic oil, buys it 5 gallons at a time at the bulk plant. These old guys know their stuff, if it works for him that is good enough for me ,price works out to about $4.50 per liter.