I had a little drift in my steering last year so u rebuilt the helm, with all new rings and cleaned everything up. Nothing changed after the rebuild. This year I replaced the cylinder at the motor assuming it was blowing by and before filling it, I flushed all new fluid into the system. Still no change. I have an autopilot but the drift was there before I installed it.
What I mean by drift is, when I’m underway on plane, I can turn the steering slowly to starboard without any response from the motor. I can turn hard and it responds. The other indication of a problem is that when using the autopilot at a constant heading, the helm will occasionally spin as if turning to starboard.
I’m lost. I can’t think of what to do next besides replace the helm thinking that I didn’t rebuild it check it there is something bigger in there that is the problem.
What do you think about the capability for a place inland (like Greenwood) to purge it with the AP? I doubt they see many dual helm or w/autopilots. Is it anything to think about?
Barney has seen enough hydraulic steering systems to know what he is doing, but don’t go by there right now, they are busy with my project and we don’t want to interupt them do we?
Mine was doing something similar. Had a small leak. Chris V fixed it up and bled it for me last year, no problems since.
If at first you don’t succeed, drink another beer!!!
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150
I’m not losing any oil, so I don’t suspect a leak. I’m going to separate the AP from the system this weekend, just to be sure it isn’t related. If it acts the same, I’ll have it bled. If it still acting funny, I’ll replace the helm. The pros down in FL that rebuild them gave me a price just shy of a new helm to “flat rate rebuild” it. I’d opt for a new. I’ve already DIY rebuilt it and didn’t see anything. I’m not as good as some, but not an idiot when it comes to looking at the guts of something mechanical.