What is the best way to make sure that all the air is out of an external steering system?
How will you know if you have it all out?

Thanks,
Mike

With the engine running, keep turning the steering wheel back and forth from lock to lock.

Also, as the air bleeds out it will get displaced by fluid. Check your reservoir as the level will drop. Add fluid as needed. Once stabilized and there is no need to add fluid, you are good to go.

My system seems to purge the air pretty easily. A couple turns of the wheel and your done. Try pushing the drive to the left or right. If all the air is out, it will not move.

Ok Guy's That is basically what I did was with the engine running turn the wheel from side to side. I went out to the garage after the boat setting for about a month placed my foot on the out drive just to check to see if I could move it and I moved it about and inch, both ways. This is after running the boat all summer with out touching the steering system. I then turned the steering wheel from one side to the other side with out the boat running and the out drive got harder to move with only getting a minimum amount, 1/16" or so out of it.
The question is why? Is there possibly still some air in it? or is some thing allowed to plead off? I have no leaks in the system either.

Thanks,
Mike

My steering is always harder in the spring and fall when the temperatures are lower. I do have full external Marine Machine with hydraulic helm. It does take awhile for the fluid to warm up.
Where are you located?

RWL,
I live in PA.The boat lives in a heated garage as well. It has to be some air that I missed.

Upon Hitting Hard Over , You Need To Crack Loose The Lines On The Rams. Obviously The Pressurized Line In Which Direction You Happen To Be Turning While Bleeding. If You Do Not Do This You Will Never Remove All The Air From The System As The Rams Are Prone To Trapping Air Due To The Design.

I guess that I will have to give that a shot by braking the lines. after moving it now a few weeks ago it has seemed to stay tight but I think I'm going to go thru with bleeding the cylinders to to be sure.
Thanks,
Mike

good luck!