Ultraflex Hyraulic Steering

robbo · 19 June 2006, 11:59

Can anyone help a relatively new, mechanically inept rib owner ( Me !! )

I have an ultraflex steering stystem on my newish rib (Feb 06 ).

The plug on the top of the steering console is seeping oil and has been doing so since I got the boat. At the moment there is no noticable change to the steering.

When I had some snags repaired in April the guy who came out form the company said it was just excess seepage.

The plug itself is tighened.

This can't be normal can it? I don't want to undo the plug incase the system is under pressure.

Any help gratefully received.

codprawn · 19 June 2006, 12:15

Well my Hydrive system is doing it as well. Looks pretty normal to me - just annoying!!!

robbo · 19 June 2006, 12:25

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have to keep topping the system up with oil and is there any special way to do it?

Hugh Jardon · 19 June 2006, 13:21

my sea star does as well, it is a fill and vent plug, in hot weather the excess will seep out slowly

very important..........very important

ensure you keep your steering topped (check the levels) up as some folks have been killed on ribs and boats where they have had a leak or loss of fluid and then they lose the steering at some speed. so keep an eye on it, i am sure it would not vent enough out to cause a problem but always best to be safe than sorry

for filling up get a pippette from a beauty shop or similar and it is easy peasy then

nugent · 19 June 2006, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

my sea star does as well, it is a fill and vent plug, in hot weather the excell will seep out slowly

very important..........very important

ensure you keep your steering topped up as some folks have been killed on ribs and boats where they have had a leak or loss of fluid and then they lose the steering at some speed. so keep an eye on it

for filling up get a pippette from a beauty shop or similar and it is easy peasy then

yes i can see the regular visits to a beauty shop. with rib nobbers looking for treatment. to sun burnt faces

Hugh Jardon · 19 June 2006, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugent

yes i can see the regular visits to a beauty shop. with rib nobbers looking for treatment. to sun burnt faces

thats where i get mine when i pop in for some nice treatments and a bit of special attention!!!

robbo · 19 June 2006, 13:54

Thanks very much Hugh.

Is it just standard hydraulic oil that you would use or any special type?

And I assume that the system is not under pressure when I take the plug off.

Hugh Jardon · 19 June 2006, 14:00

not under pressure no, but gently turn the steering left or right to see the levels change. only put in the proper hydraulic fluid, i use seastar fluid, dont know anything about your make but you will have to ensure you get approved fluid or the named ultraflex fluid

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo

Thanks very much Hugh.

Is it just standard hydraulic oil that you would use or any special type?

And I assume that the system is not under pressure when I take the plug off.

robbo · 19 June 2006, 14:13

Thanks once again Hugh very helpful.

If you are ever up my part of the world I would be happy to show you God's country from the sea!

Hugh Jardon · 19 June 2006, 14:38

you are most welcome,we are going to the pwilly weekend on the 1-2 july, are you going to that?

ps, my mrs has a beauty business so i got my pipette from her!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo

Thanks once again Hugh very helpful.

If you are ever up my part of the world I would be happy to show you God's country from the sea!

BogMonster · 19 June 2006, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

very important..........very important

ensure you keep your steering topped (check the levels) up as some folks have been killed on ribs and boats where they have had a leak or loss of fluid and then they lose the steering at some speed. so keep an eye on it, i am sure it would not vent enough out to cause a problem but always best to be safe than sorry

There was a sobering report linked to on here recently about 2 people getting killed when the oil in their steering leaked out and it suddenly went to full lock and chucked them out of the boat with no lifejackets on.....

robbo · 19 June 2006, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

you are most welcome,we are going to the pwilly weekend on the 1-2 july, are you going to that?

I might pop down on the Sunday but I will be without my RIB as I don't trailer it ( it's too big for my car ) and I don't feel confident bringing it round from my marina berth at Deganwy - through the Meni Straights, Caernarfon Bar and Bardsey Sound!!

robbo · 19 June 2006, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

There was a sobering report linked to on here recently about 2 people getting killed when the oil in their steering leaked out and it suddenly went to full lock and chucked them out of the boat with no lifejackets on.....

I read this article in a boating mag which is what got me worried and thinking.

Erin · 19 June 2006, 20:06

Oil normally only seeps out of the vent/plug if the level is too high. On my system the oil should be 12mm 1/2" below the top of the helm unit. If oil is in contact with the plug it can seep out through capilliary action. It's as bad having the level too high as it is too low.

Hugh Jardon · 20 June 2006, 10:16

on my console the whole top of the console lifts backwards bringing oil into reach of the vent plug so if i have the console flipped back for a period of time then i get a very slight seepage.

as mentioned below ensure the oil is to the correct level from the plug, also remember that the helm can be mounted at various levels so take that into consideration as well

Searider · 20 June 2006, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have to keep topping the system up with oil and is there any special way to do it?

I keep some in a mini shampoo bottle pinched from a hotel

robbo · 20 June 2006, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

I keep some in a mini shampoo bottle pinched from a hotel

Thanks for the advice I think the wife has something I can use although not sure whether she has finished with it - oh well it can be her contribution to keeping up the maintenance on the rib!