Bleeding hydro steering?
 

Does anyone know how to bleed a dual ram hydro add on system? Is this necessary, and what should the steering effort be at speed? Cadillac? Yugo? lol

thanks

Try bleeding it without running the engines first. I was told this last year and it worked great. Always crack the fittings with the pressure on them.

I have a procedure and will try to get it to you.

Kirk

most systems self bleed

cool
 

how much is that zeigler kit with the helm and hoses, filter, etc. that jayhawk was talking about. Can you get this, and will it come with instructions??

thanks

try imco also. kit has everything including instruc.

read the post by Falcon. I did mine this way and worked perfect. Start at post #14

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...light=bleeding

What set up - dual rams? Dual drives?

Email us the details:

[email protected]

Kirk

The add on system should self bleed. I had my engine out and air in the lines on my Pantera. It had a dual ram Marine Machine add on system. All I did when I hooked the lines back up was fired the engine, and kept turning back and forth from lock to lock.

Add on systems are hard to turn at idle. They don't have enough fluid volume. At idle, mine was like turning a car steering wheel without power steering. While driving at speed, it was about as tight as my Mustang.

Bumping up the idle rpm 50-100 will help. Also while at idle and manuevering around the docks, I would try to turn the wheel while in nuetral, between shifts, as much as possible.

use a drill motor to turn the pump (allen wrench fits the PS pump) and add fluid then and turn the wheel all the way one way then add more fluid and then turn the wheel the other way .... this will get 90% bled ..... then you can fire the motors up and turn the wheel back and forth ...keep checking fluid levels

I've got an add on system with more play than I think should have what could be the problem? its only hydro to the drives . The steering wheel back is still cable.

Cable could be worn out, or the gimbal ring could be worn to point it affects the steering.

Yeah, i was wondering why the effort is so high with my add on system..Makes docking a real beatch. So is the full hydro system much lighter then? Also, my wheel has a bit of play in it, and I'm assuming it's worn out, OR the actual helm gear might be worn?

Thanks!!

Thats pretty typical for an add on system. Mine had a good 1-1.5" play at the wheel.

Like I said, bump the idle rpm up a little. It will help and keep the wheel from stopping/locking while turning at low rpm.

Ditto. Usually turning the wheel lock to lock a few times it will bleed itself.