Hydraulic steering

traveller022 · 04 January 2010, 18:57

My Ribeye 550 has a Mariner 90 Optimax and the steering is so heavy I am thinking of changing it to hydraulic. Has anyone any experience of how big a job it is, approximate cost and of any reliable suppliers?

Downhilldai · 04 January 2010, 19:00

Easy job - a couple of hours work. Will set you back around £440, or a bit less, if you shop around:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TELEFLEX-BAYST...item19b89d06f5

I'd be concerned as to why the existing steering is heavy.

Has it always been like that?

Hightower · 04 January 2010, 20:38

Try these Guys.

http://www.ribstuff.com/component/pa...art/Itemid,29/

traveller022 · 04 January 2010, 21:21

Yes it has been that way since i bought it second hand 2 years ago. I got it checked at the service and the dealer said it was fully lubricated. It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

Hightower · 04 January 2010, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveller022

Yes it has been that way since i bought it second hand 2 years ago. I got it checked at the service and the dealer said it was fully lubricated. It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

To be honest if it's torque steer then even with hydraulic steering it's going to be heavier one way than the other. Obviously you can choose different capacity pumps that will increase or decrease the steering ratio to suit your needs.

Try to adjust the Trim level when steering to equal the torque steer and make it easier to turn.

Downhilldai · 04 January 2010, 22:56

Are you running it with the motor fully trimmed in?

Poly · 05 January 2010, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveller022

It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

Is this on the 90HP in your profile? I would be surprised if such a difference was 'prop torque' alone on a 90HP? Is it only difficult at full throttle or at all speeds?

two stroke mick · 05 January 2010, 08:45

You should adjust the little tab on the cav plate as I had a similar proble with a 60 hp when full trimmed in

TSM

traveller022 · 05 January 2010, 21:08

Re the tab on the cav plate, the engine runs in a straight line and you can take your hands of the steering and it wont go off course, and presumably moving that will affect this. It is worse when trimmed in but still bad when trimmed out. Yes its the same at all speeds. I'm trying to get my wife to drive it more and this isn't helping her confidence. The steering is fine when the engine's not running.

two stroke mick · 06 January 2010, 09:10

You are discribing the exact same problems that I had. I was also considering purchasing a hydraulic system. The tab counteracts the tourque effect of the prop when not running parrallel to the water surface

TSM

Erin · 06 January 2010, 14:54

I used to have stiff steering on my 5.8 with a suzzy 90. I upgraded to hydraulic and it made a huge difference. I also found, like you, it was very hard to straighten up after a tight turn almost irrespective of the trim.

chewy · 06 January 2010, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveller022

Re the tab on the cav plate, the engine runs in a straight line and you can take your hands of the steering and it wont go off course, and presumably moving that will affect this. It is worse when trimmed in but still bad when trimmed out. Yes its the same at all speeds. I'm trying to get my wife to drive it more and this isn't helping her confidence. The steering is fine when the engine's not running.

If you have NFB steering then they will be no pull on the wheel when you let go.

jyasaki · 07 January 2010, 16:07

Might also look at a diferent ratio cable helm; a turn difference lock to lock makes quite a bit of difference in steering effort. Should be cheaper than swapping everything for hydraulic, as well.

jky

Erin · 07 January 2010, 20:03

I second jky on that. It's worth remembering that hydraulic steering would likely be more turns lock to lock than push/pull anyway. Unless it's power assisted, it will still require the same total amount of human energy to turn, but it'll be over more turns with greater ease.

jyasaki · 08 January 2010, 16:05

My helm is a SeaStar hydraulic; 5 turns lock to lock (as I recall.) [Also close to $1000 US, I think but that's a different matter.]

Not the quickest steering in close quarters. A cheater knob helps quite a bit (though I'd still like to rig the knob so it's inside the wheel diameter, so it doesn't snag on clothing.)

Remember that if you're changing to hydraulic, you need not just the helm (large expense), but also a steering cylinder (not as large an expense, but still considerable) and assorted plumbing and hardware to to make the steery things steer. It gets pricey pretty quickly.

jky

Hightower · 08 January 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

My helm is a SeaStar hydraulic; 5 turns lock to lock (as I recall.) [Also close to $1000 US, I think but that's a different matter.]

Not the quickest steering in close quarters. A cheater knob helps quite a bit (though I'd still like to rig the knob so it's inside the wheel diameter, so it doesn't snag on clothing.)

Remember that if you're changing to hydraulic, you need not just the helm (large expense), but also a steering cylinder (not as large an expense, but still considerable) and assorted plumbing and hardware to to make the steery things steer. It gets pricey pretty quickly.

jky

I use a Seastar and I upgraded to helm pump from a 1.6cu" (5 turns) to a 2.4cu" one (3 turns loc to loc)

Downhilldai · 08 January 2010, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I use a Seastar and I upgraded to helm pump from a 1.6cu" (5 turns) to a 2.4cu" one (3 turns loc to loc)

Yep, I've got one of them too - just right.

TUFTY · 09 January 2010, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Yep, I've got one of them too - just right.

Hi

How much was the helm pump ?

Do you have a pert no ?

Cheers

Paul

TUFTY · 09 January 2010, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUFTY

Hi

How much was the helm pump ?

Do you have a pert no ?

Cheers

Paul

Or Even a Part Number?

Downhilldai · 09 January 2010, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUFTY

Or Even a Part Number?

The commercial spec version is HH5224 - this has a few more stainless components and better seals than the std version HH5272

Not sure of current prices - if you do a google search, you should find something.

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/HELMS/Helms.htm