Hydraulic steering fluid
 

My steering is getting a little "bumpy" (not smooth). Can I just add some sea star fluid to the helm (using their Kit with adapter hose).

Or do I have to go through the pain of Bleeding the Lines.

Anyone ever just add fluid?
5th

Yeah, I have fought with this issue. Here is my procedure:

Buy a 6 pack of beer, some fluid and the seastar adapter. Go to your boat, apply the adapter and fluid. Repeatedly turn the wheel from left to right while drinking the beer. The air will eventually go away, hopefully before the beer is gone.

What I eventually figured out is that it might be time to think about how the air is getting in there. The seals on the ram are the most likely suspect.

Marty, you know me and my antique boat. I have added steering fluid to my helm several times over thirty years. I use to use the kit but switched over to the squeeze tube of wich I found much easier and less messier to use. If you have any questions you got my number.

Have to admit when I have done mine is just bought the kit and added the oil.

No bleeding the lines.

As Dave said I turned the wheel a crap ton and it works fine.

OK
I'm intrigued. Looked online at the usual places (amazon, west marine, boating warehouses) and can't find a squeeze tube of fluid for refilling.
Where do you buy this?

I see the quart size filling kits:eek:
5th

You can add fluid and work air from system by turning wheel.

One trick - if on trailer - trim engine up and crank trailer landing wheel all the way up. Might need to put 6x6 under to get high enough.

BEWARE - don't go too high - depending on how trailer is set up - tipping point might be reached :eek

Idea is to get good angle so air goes to helm faster.

Ok, saw Mako Mike today at the CBA committee meeting for rockfish tournament. Got the low down on how to do this.
1) Buy the Power Tilt/Trim/Steering squeeze tube from West Marine
2) Place motor in center position (ram tube in middle)
3) Add fluid slowly (use hose if necessary)
4) REPLACE CAP ON STEERING HOUSING:eek:
5) Turn wheel left and right several times
6) perform steps 2,3,4,5 again if necessary

Thanks Mike
5th

No problem it's as easy as changing a light bulb. Not making fun of you by no Means. Great seeing everyone today and thanks for your help with the tournament. Sorry I had to run but since it was raining figured I'd get caught up on some things around the house. The drinks were going down pretty damn smooth and if would have stayed nothing would have gotten done!

Done:D
Works like new.

I also had to take three jigging rods for new tips today. We launched Lou's boat out of CB and I have been under the bridge 50 times (always careful not to have rods in rocket launcher. Because I was on his boat, I guess the routine was broken, and I out my jigging rods up top to keep his trolling rods down.

Well. you guessed it; wacka, wacka, wacka; as we went under the bridge. The rods were being bent over about 2/3 of the way up:eek: The "blanks" were ok (a little shaved) but the tips were destroyed:mad:

I could have gone to my local tackle shop for tips, but I don'r think he carries the variety that a custom rod builder does. Besides, I wanted him to look at the blanks and give me some idea of the integrity.

Long story short; I went to Shore Tackle on Kent Island. Joe actually designed on of the rods (Bill Judge sell them at open house) and I thought he should see what a "senior moment" could do to one of his rods.

He fixed me up, and while I'm not "good as new"; they should be ok for a troller to jig with:eek:

5th