Troubleshoot Your Hydraulic Steering System
Identify Your Hynautic System / Troubleshoot Your System / Purging Instructions / Cleaning your System
If your steering is harder than you think it should be.
Remember that unless you have a power-assist steering pump that is attached to the engine (like your car) or electrically driven in a seperate unit, you do not have power steering, simply hydraulic steering. Hydraulic steering generally makes turning the steering wheel much easier than manual steering, but it is almost never ‘one finger’ steering. Most vessels under 35 feet in length will not have power-assist.
If you just purchased this vessel, try to ascertain from the previous owner whether the steering was always hard or if this is a new problem.
Celebration of pastor appreciation anniversary service. If you have owned this vessel since it was new and the steering has gotten harder over time, go through the following steps:
If you turn the wheel and the engine, outdrive, or rudder turns slowly, only partway, or only in one direction: probably your cylinder needs to be serviced and re-sealed.
If your steering is slow or ‘mushy’: You probably have air in the system. Consult your owner’s manual for bleed instructions. You did not get air into the sealed system unless someone opened it or there is a leak somewhere.
You have a leak around the helm shaft behind the steering wheel: Your helm needs to be serviced and re-sealed. STOP! This is not a do-it-yourself job! Unless you are experienced at hydraulic repairs and specifically familiar with the inner workings of your brand of helm, we do not recommend that you attempt repairs in the field. Call us at 800-745-0765. Small leaks won’t prevent your system from operating as long as you keep the reservoir topped up with fluid, but you should not operate this way any longer than necessary to get back to port.
Bumpy helm operation, or if the wheel feels like it is jumping as you turn it: This can indicate air in the system. Try bleeding the system first. If this does not change it, there is probably trash in one of the check valves in the helm. This is not a do-it-yourself job.
If your boat drifts off course even though you are not changing the steering wheel or rudder angle: You may have a check valve in the helm that needs servicing or the cylinder needs servicing or both.
The Honda Civic uses a rack-and-pinion type of steering gear, which attaches to the steering knuckle with two separate tie-rod assemblies to deliver steering forces to the front wheels. While this system is normally reliable, problems can occur, causing the steering to feel loose. Some self-evaluation can be completed by the technically savvy vehicle owner, but serious concerns may need to be evaluated and corrected by a professional technician.
Steering Gear Internal Components
Loose steering or play can be caused by an internal failure of the steering gear, or the rack-and-pinion unit. If the components inside are worn excessively, the input from the steering shaft may not be directly transmitted to the steering linkage and could cause play in the steering wheel. The steering rack is generally not serviced in the field and is usually replaced with a remanufactured or new unit. Observe movement of the steering shaft while a helper turns the wheel. If the input shaft to the steering gear is moving, but the tie-rods are not, suspect internal steering gear failure.
Tie-Rod Failure
Tie-rod failure can cause the steering to feel loose in a Honda Civic, which uses separate tie-rods for the left and right side that attach to the front-center of the steering gear. If the tie-rod is loose, it will allow movement of the assembly before it transmits the movement to the steering knuckle, causing the loose feeling. Check the tie rods for up and down movement by grasping them at the ends, pushing and pulling straight up and down. Any movement in the ball socket is a sign of failure. Also check the adjustment sleeve that joins the inner and outer tie rod together for loose bolts.
Steering Gear Mounting
The steering gear mounts to the unibody in the Honda Civic using two bolts that screw through the steering gear near the left and right end. If these bolts are loose, the entire gear may move when the steering wheel is turned before the tie rods move, causing looseness or play. Worn or deteriorated mounting cushions, or bushings, may cause the same concern.
Steering Column Checks
The steering column contains a steering shaft with a universal joint that attaches the steering wheel to the input shaft of the steering gear. The universal joint may be loose, or the steering column may not be bolted tightly to the vehicle. Check the universal joint for loose bolts, and check for play or movement in the joints. This may also be accompanied by a noise when you turn the steering wheel. The steering column mounts to the body of the vehicle with two mounting bolts and nuts at the base of the column, which should also be checked for tightness.
Other Factors
Any steering looseness or play is a serious matter, and the complete steering and suspension system should be inspected carefully when it's noticed. Other suspension components such as struts or ball joints and control arm bushings can cause the vehicle to feel loose. A loose wheel bearing may also be at fault.
More ArticlesCurrently have a Steering Wheel 'Teleflex Rack and Pinion' set up in my 1997 CW Cobra 20 footer Vortec 350-AT309SD..IT SUCKS. To much wheel movement for direction changes (1.5 turns lock to lock) and the cable is now at it's 2 yr lifespan.stiff and sticky.I know all the big boys have stick steering with solid linkage, Dodge bearings etc etc center mount seat. I saw a Nothwest Jet with a cable stick steer, only gripe I have is stick would be in left hand and in the way getting in/out of drivers seat. Anyone have cable stick steering or quick turn wheel in a like boat? What quicksteer do the sprint race boats use as they all have a steering wheel ?? I'm looking for 1/4 to 1/2 turn left & 1/4 to 1/2 turn right. Looking forward to all the input and MERRY CHRISTMAS fellow Jet Boaters. Steering wheel feels loose Inspection Service
A steering wheel that feels loose or has “play” in it prevents the driver form getting an accurate interpretation of how the wheels are turned. Any steering setup where you can move the wheel more than one to one and a half inches without moving the wheels is too lose and may have an issue. When the steering wheel feels loose it can be difficult from drivers to accurately know the position of the front wheels. This lack of responsiveness can be dangerous for drivers, especially in heavy traffic or winding roads.
How this system works:
The majority of modern vehicles use two different kinds of steering setup to help control the movement of the car. Rack and pinion steering is typically used on cars, small trucks and SUVs, while recirculating-ball steering is used on large SUVs and trucks. The similarities and differences in the two systems begin to manifest themselves when components fail, causing the steering wheel to feel loose.
Common reasons for this to happen:
What to expect:
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason for the loose-feeling steering. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining the reason for the loose steering and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.
How it's done:
When the mechanic arrives, he or she will first lift the vehicle and remove the wheels so that they can better access the suspension and steering components. From here, the mechanic will be able to assess the reason why the steering has become loose.
Best buy galaxy s5 battery. If the mechanic suspects that worn tie rods may be the issue, he or she will inspect the tie rod for superficial damage. If the tie rod end had become worn or loose, the mechanic will remove it and replace it with a new one. The mechanic will also ensure after installation, that the new tie rod end is properly lubricated.
If the mechanic believes that the pitman arm has become worn, he or she will remove the pitman arm from the track bar and replace it with a new pitman arm. The mechanic should ensure that the new part is properly tightened.
If the mechanic suspects worn ball joints, he or she will remove the control arm(s) in order to access the faulty ball joint. He or she will then remove the old ball joint and replace it with a new one. The mechanic should also ensure that the new ball joint is properly lubricated in order to ensure longer life.
In the case of all repairs the mechanic will make sure that all the new parts have been installed correctly and are properly lubricated. In order to ensure that the steering is working properly, the mechanic may test drive the vehicle to check for excess play.
How important is this service?
A steering wheel that feels loose may not be giving an accurate indication of the front wheel’s position. Loose-feeling steering may also indicate that a problem has occurred with the steering unit or suspension. If you notice that the steering does not seem to be as responsive, you should stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected by a mechanic.
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When you have to replace the hoses or rams on your boat's marine hydraulic steering system, air gets into the system. The air occupies space normally occupied by hydraulic fluid, which diminishes the operating characteristics of the steering system. Steering will be harder and the steering mechanism will be less responsive to your touch. Lessen this problem in your boat's steering system by bleeding the air out of it.
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ReferencesAbout the AuthorBass Boat Steering Has Play
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.
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