Steering issue

[MichaelB1969]

Just curious if anyone knows what might have happened. I just got my autopilot pump replaced and they also replaced the steering fluid and bled the system.

When I got to the boat yesterday and went to leave the dock, the steering wheel at the lower helm wouldn't turn. I used some force and it turned a bit with some lumpy resistance. Then a little more, still with quite a bit of resistance. Then all of a sudden it loosened up and acted normal for the rest of the day.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

[OldDan1943]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Just curious if anyone knows what might have happened. I just got my autopilot pump replaced and they also replaced the steering fluid and bled the system.

When I got to the boat yesterday and went to leave the dock, the steering wheel at the lower helm wouldn't turn. I used some force and it turned a bit with some lumpy resistance. Then a little more, still with quite a bit of resistance. Then all of a sudden it loosened up and acted normal for the rest of the day.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

Time to get the tech back out. You paid him to do the job right.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

Time to get the tech back out. You paid him to do the job right.

Yes, of course, already sent an email. Just wondering if anyone here has experienced such a thing, and if so, what it turned out to be.

[twistedtree]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Yes, of course, already sent an email. Just wondering if anyone here has experienced such a thing, and if so, what it turned out to be.

I have never experienced that. Hopefully it's just some sort of residual air lock or hydro lock from the work that was done. I think the key is whether it happens again.

[sunchaser]

Not unusual to have a bit of binding on a newly bled system or if having sat for awhile. I'm assuming the manual helm pump located at the wheel worked ok after it "released"? It may do it off and on for awhile.

[Seevee]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Just curious if anyone knows what might have happened. I just got my autopilot pump replaced and they also replaced the steering fluid and bled the system.

When I got to the boat yesterday and went to leave the dock, the steering wheel at the lower helm wouldn't turn. I used some force and it turned a bit with some lumpy resistance. Then a little more, still with quite a bit of resistance. Then all of a sudden it loosened up and acted normal for the rest of the day.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

Yep, it's either the steering helm or the hydraulic cylinder (at the rudder) that has failed, and most likely the helm. (unless there's something physically blocking the cylinder.

Yep, there's probably some rust or wear in the steering helm (the "hub" part behind the steering wheel that the hydraulic lines go into.) They can be rebuilt for about $350. Here's a place that does it. He's also an expert on these things and diagnose the problem: Boat Steering Solution, Tim Howard, Owner, 941-484-6060, Venice, FL.