Hydraulic Steering Cylinder Leak

[Van]

SCott. yup sounds like the right thing to do.

When I got hydraulic, i thought that would be the last time i'd worry about steering .....NOT...

I found NFB teleflex cable steering for around 170. I wish I did that 4 yrs ago.

www.surplusunlimited.com

[Van]

Well like I said I have had GREAT response and service from Teleflex.

A couple of e-mails back and forth and they just told me they will be sending
me a NEW CYLINDER !!!!!!!! No Charge !!!!!!!

Now that makes me a bit happier!!!!!

I still have to figure out how to keep this thing from crapping out again though.

I'm thinking of a couple of rubber boots on each end to keep water away from the seals. I had one of these on my original mechanical steering it worked well to keep the grease in and water out. If I can only find them again and adapt to fit the seastar hydraulic...it might proling the life of the unit.

[MakoMike]

Van,
One thing that helps prolong their life is to hose them down with fresh water at the end of each trip. If the salt water evaporates and leaves salt on the shaft it can eat away at the seals as the shaft moves back and forth. Kind of like throwing sand on it.

[Van]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Van,
One thing that helps prolong their life is to hose them down with fresh water at the end of each trip. If the salt water evaporates and leaves salt on the shaft it can eat away at the seals as the shaft moves back and forth. Kind of like throwing sand on it.

I sure do, if you saw my boat you'd know how meticulous I am about stuff.
I bend all the way over the transom and rinse the tilt/trim hydraulics too.

SO........What I'm thinking of doing is cutting my losses, selling the "new" cylinder, 1 yr old helm and the hoses on ebay, then buying that nfb mechanical system. I should have some fuel money leftover too.

Waddaya think?

I hope its not a mistake though...I don't know how reliable the nfb's are and if they really work good. Got some more research to do.

[MakoMike]

Van,
Sorry I can't help on that decision. I can't use any mechanical system on my boat.