Problems bleeding hydraulic steering
Hoping someone can help me out here!
I have a Seastar Teleflex 5345 hydraulic steering ram. It was weeping fluid, so I bought and fitted a new seal kit.
I re-mounted the ram to the boat, and have run into some issues when bleeding it.
Have followed the instructions and done the following
-open filler at the helm, pour in fluid, turn steering wheel fully clockwise till ram extended fully on starboard side,
-cracked starboard bleed nipple, let air out whilst turning helm anticlockwise till you just get clear fluid
It then says you need to do the same on the other side, ie start turning anticlockwise, until the ram is extended fully on port side, however no matter how many times I turn the wheel, anticlockwise, the ram doesnt move.
I thought perhaps it still had air in there, so tried to move the motors manually, and they are seized in position (they were not before I bled the other side of the ram).
Hopefully I have just done something stupid, like connect the two hydraulic lines the wrong way around, which is possible as they are almost the same length and were not labelled. However, I figured if that were the case, I'd not be able to crank the wheel anticlockwise anymore (but I can turn anticlock, I cant crank clockwise anymore, which is correct as ram is extended to the starboard side).
Someone please help! Want to get her back on the water asap!
Thanks
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
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NOHA
Posts: 914
Date Joined: 24/06/07
Empty?
Open the helm and fill it up again. You may of pushed all the oil forward when you bled the one side and no oil left to push it back the other way.
Twin turbo..V8 diesel..Ohh what a feeling!!
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POC
Posts: 231
Date Joined: 05/01/09
I do a little like car brakes
I do a little like car brakes hold it on lock then open to vent air with finger on top so air can't get in then full lock the other way and repeat process keeping an eye on your resivior so as it does no empty ...takes a little while some times.
Cheers
spinksy
Posts: 266
Date Joined: 06/10/10
Just did mine
Just did mine the other week. Do you have proper bleed kit? I cut the bottom out of the bottle at the helm rigged it so it stayed there on its own kept it topped up Craked port nipple turned wheel clockwise till all air was out, Then reversed starbord nipple and turned anti clockwise. As long as no air is entering at the helm and you have no leaks it is easy.You need a bleed kit for the helm got mine from aussie fluid power.
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Hey guysI have the bleed kit,
Hey guys
I have the bleed kit, it is rigged up to the bottle, and there is still fluid in the bottle and clear tube, so it is definitely not empty.
I'd have thought it might just be heaps of air in the lines if the only problem was that the ram didnt move to the port side when I spun anticlockwise, but the issue is I cant even move the motors by hand anymore, it is like the ram is pushing them full lock one way, even when I am no longer steering that way.
That was what made me think the lines might be the wrong way around, but then it seems strange that I cant turn clockwise anymore (which is correct given that the motors are full lock to starboard).
Seriously frustrating!
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Bleeder
Open the bleeder when you try to push the motor back , sounds like its gone too far and is blocking the fluid return line port.
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Do you mean the bleeder on
Do you mean the bleeder on the starboard side? (the one I bled first)?
If so, will give this a go, presumably though will suck air back in when I try move the motor, but can always bleed it again if this is the problem
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
The method you're using
The method you're using differs from the instructions on my new system that's just arrived - lists a couple of different steps, including pushing manually and agrees more with what carnarvonite is saying.
Let me know if you'd like me to scan and send to you - could probably get it done tonight after work.
Dizz.
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Yeah cheers mate, if you dont
Yeah cheers mate, if you dont mind sending the instructions over that would be great.
Will PM you my email address.
Also got some suggestions from another guy re: the valves in the boss kit that I will give a go
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
Dizzy
Posts: 753
Date Joined: 21/02/11
Hi Dan, Just emailed the
Hi Dan,
Just emailed the instructions, later than expected - busy day & only knocked off an hour ago
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Filling ram
Alway filled both sides of the ram with oil before connecting hoses, this way it saves a lot of piss farting around, same goes for oil/ fuel filters when servicing an engine.
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Motors
You say motors have you one or two and how many rams if you have two rams you need to open equalizer valve
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
Hey mateTwin engines, single
Hey mate
Twin engines, single ram.
Cheers
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.