Seastar Solutions HC5370-3 - Troubleshooting Common Steering Issues; Helm Lock-Up and Oil Leaks; Stiff Steering Diagnosis

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BayStar/SeaStar Hydraulic Steering
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
FAULT CAUSE SOLUTION
1. Helm locks up completely. • PRO helm used with an
unbalanced cylinder.
• Collapsed hose/tube.
• Replace helm with a non-Pro
helm pump.
• Replace section with new
length.
2.
Oil keeps pouring out of
helm pump.
• Incorrect setting of fluid level.
• Helm overfilled.
• The cylinder shaft MUST be
fully retracted when setting
fluid level
• Fluid level should be set no
higher than 1/4” BELOW the
filler port.
3. System is hard to turn in
one direction.
• Unbalanced cylinder will
prove to turn easier one
direction vs. the other.
• Not a fault.
4. System is hard to turn all
the time and to both
directions.
• Cylinder shaft is frozen/
seized in steering tube
(side mounts).
• Pinched/collapsed steering line.
• Engine(s) are not articulating
freely.
• Incorrect steering fluid being
used.
• Steering wheel too small.
• See maintenance, clean and
re-grease engine steering tube.
• Insect entire length of steering
hose. Replace entire length
with new one if pinched or
collapsed.
• Disconnect steering cylinder
from engine. If effort decreases
inspect engine to confirm
proper articulation.
• Flush and purge system using
SeaStar Fluid ONLY
• Install larger wheel if
possible.