Hydraulic steering

f350mudder · Post by **f350mudder** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:29 pm

Can someone tell me if this is something I can install myself or do I need to take it to a shop. I'm not a full blown mechanic but I can do the basic ( change brakes,starters,alternators,electrical). And if I need to take it to a shop what is a good shop near the Turlock/Modesto area.All and any info is appreciated.My boat does not have hydraulic steering and I'm tired of feeling like I'm driving the old 65 pick up my grandfather drove.Thanks in advance.

jimmy87 · Post by **jimmy87** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:53 pm

take your time, study and research the job.
I think you can do the job because of the mechanical skills you have.
I would tackle the job.

f350mudder · Post by **f350mudder** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:39 pm

I think I'm gonna try and knock this out with some help from my brother in law.I appreciate your help jimmy87.

Turkeyman · Post by **Turkeyman** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:09 pm

Hey mudder, if it all goes well with your install, maybe you can come down the road and we can do mine.

gt1984 · Post by **gt1984** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:18 pm

Piece of cake. I have installed two. It will take you a few hours. Make sure and bleed the lines properly and you are good to go. VERY IMPORTANT---- before you pull the old cables, tape the end at the motor to the end of the hydraulic line that attches to the helm. When you pull it out, it will pull your new hydraulic line in and save you having to fish it and lots of time I might add.

Blessings

f350mudder · Post by **f350mudder** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:10 pm

To turkey I'll tell you what,if I can get mine done with no problems I would definately be willing to give you a hand,thats not a problem. And thanks for that little tip gt1984, I'm sure that is going to save me some time and frustration.now I just gotta find me a hydraulic steering to buy and I'm on my way.

gt1984 · Post by **gt1984** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:29 pm

I have found some deals occasionally on ebay for $650 which includes helm, steering cylinder, lines, and oil. It is a complete Seastar kit. It is for 200hp and above. About $450 for 150hp which is the Baystar

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:06 pm

mudder,
installation of the mechanicals isnt much of a problem; they are straight forward. sounds like you have good experience and general knowledge, so it should be easy. some good advice about using the old cables to help pull thru the new ones - saves time and effort of fishing cables thru your boat.

The other advice i might suggest is getting it all installed and then taking it to Calvin up in Redding to have him fill the fluids and flush & purge the system. as with any hydraulic system, having air in the line is a critical failure, so you have to really do a great job of bleeding the system. The problem is with where you introduce the fluid vs. where you bleed it - they are far apart and a pain to constantly monitor without 2 people (just like car brakes).

Calvin has a really cool machine that he hooks up all your bleed lines and intake valve and runs a pump that flushes all the system and refills it with clean fluid. It takes about 15min on the machine to truly get all the air out.

give him a call - i highly recommend using that to flush the system and bleed it clean from air bubbles. not that expensive either. worth it.

Good Luck,

Kopper