Dual helm steering problems
 

I have a dual helm setup in my boat it and seems to be getting stiffer as you drive the boat to the point at about 5-10 minutes of driving it is impossible to steer anymore? Looking for advice on where to start looking. :readinghelp:

I have already verified that there is fluid in the reservoir and that both pumps are working. I have also tried switching the valve from port to starb helm with no luck.

thanks in advance for any help or input.

assuming it's a power steering pump pressured system ??? if so sounds like the pump is loosing pressure, are you running a cooler ? need to be, fluid will break down with heat/RPM also did you change pulley ratio from stock ?

Yes it's power steering.

I don't think the pumps are loosing pressure as we removed them and spun with a drill. They both built pressure. The one thing I noticed is the helm box is very hot after running. With that said the oil is being cooled by the trans cooler around the flywheel.

I noticed there is an in line filter. Could this be plugged? I plan on removing it in the next hours or so.

Thanks for the input and any further you can provide.

Sounds like filter make sure there is no metal in it like a pump failing.

Filter is not plugged. Just removed and it's clear

If oil is good check system with a temp gun to see exactly where heat starts to build, beit the helm pump or a supply hose with a bulge, or flap inside blocking flow. Good luck!

inside bulge , seen this many times and difficult to locate.

Try to spin the pumps in the boat with a drill if its hard remove the filter and see what it does. Buck35 could be rite with a bad hose. Do you have any other valves on the boat? Did you add anything to the steering?

We just removed a check valve that seems to be broken. We started up the motors and at the boat lift it seems to be working now. I plan on going for a run tomorrow night to see if the pressure stays consistent. Will update

[ATTACH=CONFIG]556046[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]556047[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]556048[/ATTACH]

Not sure if this is correct? Does not appear to be.........?

Its missing parts and I would be worried where they went.

Ran the boat and seems to be working just fine now. The check valves that were used don't appear to be the correct ones for hydraulics. We swapped the other one out with a proper valve. I only have one check valve on the system now instead of 2.

I would think the parts / spring missing from the pictures above are caught in the filter.

Definitely going to want to find those pieces before they lodge in a port somewhere. Potential loss of steering at speed would not be good! Follow the hoses and check the fittings if not in the filter.

never seen the check valves in one before

I run one for each pump but I don't know how his is plumed in.