Owning a new boat ultimately brings the reality of performing both scheduled and nonscheduled maintenance. This doesn’t have to be onerous, though — have fun with these projects and make them an enjoyable part of your overall boating experience. One issue that you might encounter is a hydraulic boat steering problem.
In this situation, you'll need to get some hydraulic-steering fluid that meets Mil-Spec H-5606C standards, such as Sea Star/Bay Star No. HA 5430; an adapter hose, like Sea Star No. HA 5438; and a pushpin from the bulletin board in your office. A rag also helps. Sea Star hydraulic steering fluid is prevalent in most boating centers across the United States.
- Thread filler tube into helm pump
- Thread bottle of fluid onto filler tube
- Poke a hole into the bottom of the bottle (or, cut the bottom off and create a funnel)
- Turn bottle upside down (like an IV)
Note: At all times, be sure there is fluid in the filler tube, if it drains out you are pumping air in the system and you will need to start over
- Thread filler tube into helm pump.
- Thread bottle of fluid onto filler tube.
- Poke a hole into the bottom of the bottle (or, cut the bottom off and create a funnel).
- Turn bottle upside down (like an IV).
- Turn steering wheel hard to starboard.
- Open starboard bleeder nipple located on the steering cylinder.
- Turn steering wheel to the port side pumping air/fluid out of bleeder fitting.
- When an air free stream is seen, CLOSE bleeder nipple.
- Continue turning to the PORT side until engine comes hard over.
- Open port bleeder nipple located on the steering cylinder.
- Turn steering wheel to the starboard side pumping air/fluid out of bleeder fitting.
- When an air free stream is seen, CLOSE bleeder nipple.
The above will ensure that you have properly bled the system free and clear.
TIP--puncture the bottle on the bottom side, not the very bottom, with the pushpin. Doing so enables you to place the pushpin back in and store a partially-full bottle on a shelf without leaks.
