Hydraulic steering questions
#11
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Kankakee Illinois
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
Originally Posted by mhawkins48
I installed a WPM full hydraulic system with dual rams. It took 3 weekends of boating and adding fluid before the system completly bled all the air out. The steering pretty much stays centered unless I force the steering against full lock. Very happy with the system except it is still a little heavy at 800rpm. Does any one know of an upgrade for the power steering pump?
Mark
Mark
#12
SORE MEMBER
Platinum Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 29°50'49.74"N 95° 5'17.55"W.......TEXAS
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
Originally Posted by Roger 1
Check with the manufacturer first but if you drill out the relief valve on the back of the pump to the next larger size, you will see some improvement in your low speed heaviness. I did that to my Marine Machine system and it lightend it up a bit.
I did that and it did help some. However lock to lock at idle is still slower than I would like.
BTW. I am using stock merc pump with about 100 hours use.
Mark
#13
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ST. Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
Single ram systems are not balanced. One side has more volume than the other due to the volume of the rod in the cylinder. ie, it takes 3 turns of the helm to fill the ram completely in one direction (helms pump a constant volume/turn) but only 2 1/2 turns to fill in the other. Twin ram systems are balanced and this effect is negligable.
Gary
Gary
#15
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ST. Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
Oh yeah, the exception to this are the single ram units mounted on the front of OB and some IB rudder rams. They have a rod that extends through both sides of the ram with the piston in the middle.
Gary
Gary
Originally Posted by Gary Anderson
Single ram systems are not balanced. One side has more volume than the other due to the volume of the rod in the cylinder. ie, it takes 3 turns of the helm to fill the ram completely in one direction (helms pump a constant volume/turn) but only 2 1/2 turns to fill in the other. Twin ram systems are balanced and this effect is negligable.
Gary
Gary
#16
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
The smaller pulley will help, but make sure you won't end up turning the pump much over 5600rpm. This should allow you close to a 1:1 ratio which is close to what the Merc Racing 500efi and newer engines turn.
#17
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 2,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Hydraulic steering questions
If you want to center the wheel after it gets off. With engine off turn the wheel until drive is straight. Then turn wheel to the lock & slow keep pressure on it. The wheel with slowely move. Once you have moved it enought it will be back to the center. I use to do this about once a month. Now it does not bother me anymore.