Steering Problem...24.5 CCP

[randazzo]

I have been restoring my 1981  24.5 CCP.The hyd.steering is stiff.I replaced the lines,filled the cannister and it feels like their is air in it.I pumped it up let it out and pumped it again.Any Hints????Don randazzo..Hydranautic system

[steved]

Are you sure the stiffness is in the hydraulic steering and not in the joint between the motor and the mount?  The only reason I ask is that I went through the exact same thing last year.  The steering got really stiff on me and I couldn't figure it out.  Finally had a look at the bearings on the mount and they were shot.  Not wishing that on you though - cost me plenty to get that addressed.

Steve

[GoneFission]

You did not say which hydraulic system you have.  I might guess that your 1981 CCP has a Syten system, which is both bad  :cry:  news and good    news.  Increased steering effort is typical when the seals start to go bad on the Syten steering cylinders.  Do you see any leakage from either end of the cylinder?  If so, the seals are gone for sure.

The bad news is that Syten hydraulic steering systems are no longer made, and you can't get replacement parts.  There are a couple companies out there that may be able to disassemble the cylinder and find and fit new seals, but sometimes Syten cylinders have enough corrosion that they cannot even be disassembled.  

The good news is that the Syten system is completely compatible with the newer Teleflex SeaStar cylinder.  You can replace the Syten cylinder and steering arm with a SeaStar front-mount cylinder and keep the same helm pump, lines, and fittings.  The SeaStar cylinder is a real improvement over the Syten type.  It works better, steers easier, and allows full up-tilt of the motor.  SeaStar front-mount cylinders are pretty expensive at retail, but you can find new ones on eBay for $200-$300; used ones usually go for less, and you can also usually find good used ones at marine salvage stores also.  

You can check out which cylinder you need at:  http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/OUTBOARD/oboard.htm  Note that the 5345 and 5358 are the same cylinder and parts - the only difference is the plate that mounts to the motor is reversed on one versus the other.  You can unbolt the plate and turn it over to make a 5345 into a 5358 and vice-versa.  

Hope this helps and good luck!

[DEFIANT]

If you have air in the system the steering wheel will slip or just spin. Most of the time stiff steering is due to the stainless steel rod that passes through a tube at the bottom front of the motor needs cleaning and lubrication.

http://www.fishing-catalog.com/hynautic ... _intro.htm

This site is a source for Hynautic parts and service.

Sea Star now owns Hynautic. They have a site you may also find helpful!

Good luck and smooth steering!

[randazzo]

The system is a hrdranautic,from florida.The piston does notleak.I will disconnect it from the motor and then see if it is still stiff.Thanks Don.New Jersey

[Keith Knecht]

Hey Randazzo,

Disconnect your steering ram from the motor(s) and try to turn the wheel.  If the wheel trurns easily then try to turn your motor by pushing on the cowling.  Got to be one or the other.  Hard steering is frequently caused by the motor bearing being frozen or nearly frozen.  Hope that's not the case for you.  Not an easy fix. Let us know what you find.

[22FamilyFish]

randazzo,what year and brand motor do you have? The pivot or steering tube that goes through the transom bracket could be freezing up,like others mentioned above.This was a common problem with the 80's Mercury's since the steering tube was usually made of steel.

[randazzo]

The motor is a 2001 Optimax 225.The tube is Aluminum.The piston rod steel.I have filled the canister after changing the two hydraulic lines.No luck.Filled in with air,never bled.Dont know how.Randazzo

[22FamilyFish]

Ok,not being overly familar with hydraulic,I did some research at SeaStar.com.The SeaStar system is pressurized with 30psi of air at the resevoir(fluid filled).Also there are 2 "bleeder" screws at the helm(wheel) which need to be bled of air.Each bleeder screw handles either left or right wheel rotation.Turning the steering wheel helps bleed the air.
Your set-up may be completely different and not require pressure,so I'm NOT necessarily saying to do this.Check for fittings on the resevoir and helm unit(under dash).Do some research at thier site.Look under Steering systems/hydraulic/manuals.Hope this helps.....

[randazzo]

Thank you for the advice.I will look at the steering bleeders  again this week.It has been raining for two days.We went fishing on Friday in Barnegat New Jersey.Caught live bunker and Live Lined for Stripers.Big Fish...20 to 30 lbs.Nice tan too.Randazzo 245ccp.