Hydraulic Steering - Single Ram - HelpAny
 

New system just installed. I think I still have air in the system. When I turn the wheel the level rases and lowers about 1 1/2". I get 2 turns from lock to lock when turning the wheel to the right. When I turn it to the left I get 3 turns. With the motor off the wheel is also easier to turn to the left. I centered the drive and tried to push both directions but doesn't move. I did try cracking the fittings on the cylinder and got some air out. The oil also had some foam but seemed to settle out after sitting for a while. I went lock to lock with the motor running and with it off to bleed the air.
Any ideas?? Help

It often takes a while to get all the air out. Just keep turing lock to lock and you will get it.

First off, a single ram will be unballanced. The volume on one side of the ram is different from the other. So you will have different number of turns one way vs. the other.
Because of this, it will be a little easier in one direction.
As for air, keep turning the wheel, engine running, and it will eventually bleed out.

I have a single ram full system. Any time I've had to "open" the system I didn't have any problems with getting the air out. Just a few turns of the wheel and the air is out.

I know the unbalanced is because of the rod on the one side. Takes less oil. The easier in one direction was with the motor off. With it running its the same both directions.
Do you think it would be a full turn in the difference?

Dave
How much of a defference do you have in the turns from lock to lock?

I'll have to count next time I fire her up. One side note, I have the 120cc helm which is usually used for a twin ram system. I think that reduces the number of turns.

Most systems require you to turn the wheel quite a few turns in one direction to force the oil/air past the check valves back to the resivour then repeat the process in the other direction. It is easy to have a bubble on one side of the piston if not done properly, the full turn is a little odd. Are you sure the ram is at half travel when the drive is centered, I have found instruction measurements to be wrong. I make it a practice of marking the rams center of travel with the drive blocked center before marking and drilling holes.

Mop
I installed just like you. I marked the half point on the ram with the drive centered. Then marked holes for drilling.

Thanks to everyone for help. When the rain stops I'll go out and play with it again.

i will be installing steering real soon! how long is this project taking you guys. barring any issues like this thread addresses.
thanks, sorry to step in....just learning again.

b70

I probably have a total of about 8 hr's.

The right to left turn lock differential will depend on the ram and size (volume) of the helm unit.
The manufacturer should have that info with your kit.
Gary

It took me a little longer than 8 hrs. Make sure you really think this through and have all the tools and misc. parts you will need. That is what slowed me down, the little things.

Yes and Yes.

Please observe that the geometry of the single ram system is assymetric. Assuming that it is mounted on the starboard side of the drive, turning x degrees to starboard takes more travel by the ram than turning x degrees to port. This has some consequences;
1. When going straight ahead the ram should not be in the middle of the travel if you want to be able to turn as much to starboard as to port
2. I will take more turns to turn to starboard than to port
3. It will be easier to turn to starboard than to port, since you have more leverage

I would trust the manufacturer to have done the math.

noise pollution, I'm planing on adding a hydraulic system to my Prowler. My existing helm was installed with a 20 degree wedge from Sonic to give the wheel less of a vertical position, did you have that and if so how did you deal with it? Also as I recall the original helm was mounted over a fuse panel, did you have any issues installing the new helm? It sure seems you hear of lot's of issues when people add a hydraulic system, are the instructions so poor or does each situation have different variables on each application? Steve

I reused the wedge and made a wedge to match it to go behind the dash. Made it out of a hard maple.That way it makes a parallel surface to pull the steering collum and the helm pump up to. I'd post a pic, but not sure haow to do it.

Thanks, I follow you on the inner wedge! Any issues with the fuse panel on the back side of dash mounting the new helm? Thanks, Steve

No. I mounted the pump so the lines point down on a fourty five degree angle to the starboard side.
Bolts are at 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock position.

Thanks, Hope you get everything worked out! Steve

From ZeigerMarine

BLEEDING STEERING SYSTEM

This should be conducted by two (2) people


Fill power steering pump to the correct line on the dipstick with automatic transmission fluid, then remove cap. If using a remote reservoir, fill to line on reservoir.

Without starting the engine, begin turning the steering wheel one direction until steering bottoms out. Now turn the wheel the opposite direction until steering bottoms out. While performing these steps continue checking fluid level in power steering pump. Through this procedure make sure the fluid level remains high enough not to induce air into the system. Too much fluid in pump may cause overflow.

The fluid level will fluctuate; continue turning the steering wheel back and forth, to bottom, until fluid level remains at the full mark. At this point turn steering wheel one direction until the steering bottoms out. At the transom brackets on the outside of boat, slightly loosen the fittings on the hoses opposite the hoses that moved the steering to the current bottomed out position. Example: if a cylinder is extended when bottomed out, loosen the transom bracket hose end that would charge the rod end side.

Now begin turning the steering wheel slowly the other direction. When the oil flows with no air out of the loosened fittings, tighten fittings. Continue turning in the same direction until steering bottoms out and repeat on opposite hose fittings. When all of the air is out of the system, start engine and test steering at idle.

http://www.everettperformance.com/im...G%20SYSTEM.doc



K):STEVE/STEERING/BLEEDING STEERING SYSTEM