Steering issues on a SeaStar steering

[PClarence]

My 176 Key West is equipped with a SeaStar steering pump and a BayStar actuator at the motor. When driving the boat, it won’t hold a coarse. It constantly veers to port (left) and requires constant turning of the steering wheel to keep on coarse. I bled the actuator. No change. Replaced the steering pump. No change. It’s holding the fluid level. No leaks that I can find. Any suggestions?

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Doubt it's the steering system. Maybe a bent skeg on the lower end of the motor? Something dragging in the water, like a transducer or a trim tab? Is the outboard mounted square on the transom?

 

[jimmbo]

Even the Trim Angle of the Engine/Outdrive will affect the Steering. With Right Hand Rotation Props, a Pull to Port usually means Trimmed to far out

 

[PClarence]

Why I still go back to the hydraulic steering is when the boat is not in the water and you turn the steering wheel as far to the port or starboard as it can go , you can still turn it . All be it with some resistance, there is no “stop “ . In addition, before this happened with the boat out of the water you could physically move the motor by pushing it and the steering wheel would turn. That doesn’t happen now. The boat is ten years old. No trim tabs. Transducer has always been there. Skeg hasn’t moved and is straight unchanged. My thoughts are that hydraulic fluid is leaking past something internally.

 

[dingbat]

The helm is simply a pump. It's possible you blew a seal(s) in the cylinder, but not lkely

How old is the steering system?

 

[PClarence]

The helm is simply a pump. It's possible you blew a seal(s) in the cylinder, but not lkely

How old is the steering system?

The boat steering is 10 years old. If left with no clear solution, I would replace the seals next. I would have thought if the seals were blown there would have been leaks on the outside. There is no external leaks.

 

[dingbat]

There is no external leaks.

Just proves your rod ends are not leaking.

Double ended cylinder with supply and return on opposing ends. Piston and seals sit mid shaft.

 

[PClarence]

Okay, that’s where I’m headed next. Thanks