Need help on Helm w/ hydraulic

[Blue_Runner]

jrou111, thank you for the interesting info...this is my favorite part of the article (at the bottom):

The steerting wheel is tightly seated on a tapered and keyed shaft. It may be necessary to use a gear puller to pop the wheel off the shaft. Typically just a slight amount of force will break the wheel loose.

[cterrebonne]

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

jrou111, thank you for the interesting info...this is my favorite part of the article (at the bottom):

yep maybe if it never left the showroom

[Blue_Runner]

Don't take the nut all the way off. Place a flat or ball peen hammer on the shaft with the handle under the rim of the wheel. While prying up with the hammer strike the first hammer with another hammer. Wheel should come right off. When replacing put a thin coat of grease on the shaft.

CT, is the the hammer trick you were referring to? I googled and found this.

[cterrebonne]

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

CT, is the the hammer trick you were referring to? I googled and found this.

yep thats the one. and if it doesnt want to come off at first get bigger hammers, lol

[Blue_Runner]

I got my steering kit in just before leaving for the beach last weekend. I'm going to the beach again this weekend so I'm going to try and work on the boat in the evenings this week.

[Skools Out]

quit cutting holes and get that corn ready for next week, that's what your dad really said didn't he? I'll see ya Friday in Denton.

[Blue_Runner]

Skools LOL!! We'll be there! Hot dogs, roasted corn, and now even corn dogs.

Update on my project - I got the steering installed this weekend. Did some work up til 0 dark thirty on Friday evening and hit it again on Saturday morning. Got finished around 11 am and headed to the lake. I ran it through its paces, burning approximately 15 gallons and well over 30 miles. A good time was had as this was the first successful run since July 27th 2008 (at exactly 5:07 pm).

[jrou111]

Blue Runner (and anyone else),

I've ordered 100 of the front shaft x-rings for the seastar/baystar helm pumps for $13 from McMaster Carr. I know I don't need 100 but they were $6 plus shipping from Teleflex.

If anyone needs an extra oring or 3 to keep on hand I'll send you one for the cost of shipping.

[Blue_Runner]

Very nice offer there JR!! What's the deal with these? Do they dry out or what? Where is it located? Is it around the fill?

[jrou111]

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Very nice offer there JR!! What's the deal with these? Do they dry out or what? Where is it located? Is it around the fill?

It's behind the wheel, behind the retainer with the 3 screws, on the shaft (huh huh).

They keep the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir and when they go bad you have a slow leak of fluid onto the floor under the helm. If the fluid gets too low you can lose your steering partially or even completely.