Mark Myns
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2015
- Messages
- 31
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Hoosier Daddy
- Vessel Make
- 38 Marine Trader Sundeck
Today we tried to take my 1986 38 Marine Trader Sundeck to the marina where we haul out. We backed out of the slip to discover I had no steering. Quick trouble shooting did not reveal a solution so I had to get her back to my slip using the bow thruster. This was at 4AM so no helpers available at the dock.
After getting tied up I started trying to find the problem. What I discovered is that the wheel at the upper helm turns with no resistance, basically you can just spin it. The wheel at the lower helm turns with some resistance but you cannot feel the stops. neither upper or lower will turn the rudder. If I turn on the auto pilot I can get it to turn the wheel for me.
The steering is hydraulic but there is not a separate pump and as near as I can tell(from the manual) each wheel is is a pump. It must be that you turn the wheel and that creates pressure. All of the hydraulic lines are copper and I found no leaks.
Is it possible there is a slow leak which over time has lower the fluid below a working level on the fly bridge and causes less effect to the lower helm but does not allow enough pressure from the lower to turn the rudder. I believe the Autohelm closes valves and is not effected by that the lower pressure at the helms.
The other problem is, if the is the case how do you refill and bleed the hydraulics since the plugs are pretty much inaccessible on the top of the steering units. Any advice is appreciated.
After getting tied up I started trying to find the problem. What I discovered is that the wheel at the upper helm turns with no resistance, basically you can just spin it. The wheel at the lower helm turns with some resistance but you cannot feel the stops. neither upper or lower will turn the rudder. If I turn on the auto pilot I can get it to turn the wheel for me.
The steering is hydraulic but there is not a separate pump and as near as I can tell(from the manual) each wheel is is a pump. It must be that you turn the wheel and that creates pressure. All of the hydraulic lines are copper and I found no leaks.
Is it possible there is a slow leak which over time has lower the fluid below a working level on the fly bridge and causes less effect to the lower helm but does not allow enough pressure from the lower to turn the rudder. I believe the Autohelm closes valves and is not effected by that the lower pressure at the helms.
The other problem is, if the is the case how do you refill and bleed the hydraulics since the plugs are pretty much inaccessible on the top of the steering units. Any advice is appreciated.