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Author Topic:   Kink in hydraulic steering hose

picflight posted 03-01-2014 11:42 PM ET (US)
There is a kink in the one of the hydraulic steering hoses. I inherited this defect. I think it is a matter of time before the hose will give way.
How much of an effort will replacement be for a DIY project?
The steering is a SeaStar on a 1998 Outrage 17.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/12869875115_81853f2428_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/12870317894_e9a960c8cd_z.jpg
I am thinking something like this would be my part:
http://www.westmarine.com/ teleflex--seastar-outboard-hose-kits-two-hoses-per-kit--P006_182_003_002
picflight posted 03-02-2014 12:02 AM ET (US)
I have tilt steering if that makes a difference in the procedures to replace or service system.
picflight posted 03-02-2014 12:07 AM ET (US)
I have tilt steering if that makes a difference in the procedures to replace or service system.
rtk posted 03-02-2014 08:31 AM ET (US)
It's an easy fix to just replace that hose kit. The type of helm really isn't relevant to the simple replacement of the hoses.
You'll lose hydraulic steering fluid when you remove the old hoses and install the new.
The hydraulic steering system will have to be re-filled with fluid and air bled from the system after you are done replacing the hoses. The manufacturer, in the past, has made the instructions on filling and bleeding the system available on their website. Just use care in locating and following the instructions for your specific system.
The bleeding of the system is the most "difficult" part of the task. If it is not done properly the system will not perform well.
Rich
contender posted 03-02-2014 09:06 PM ET (US)
rtk is correct sometimes its best to come back the second day so any air in the system will form one large bubble to be bleed again. Have some rags handy and a catch tin/pail/can what ever...
picflight posted 03-03-2014 09:32 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the clarity and encouragement.
Now comes the part of measuring the existing hose to get the exact length replacement, how is this best done?
Also should I be considering a specific replacement or source to accomodate for any future upgrades?
rtk posted 03-04-2014 07:31 AM ET (US)
Look for identifying marks on the hoses to see if the manufacturer printed the part number and length of the hose on the hose. I would remove one hose and simply measure it if the existing hoses do not have identifying marks that indicate the part number and length of the hose. Manufacturers usually have a measuring guide you can follow also.
After measuring the hose I would suggest that you identify the model and part number of your helm unit and the steering cylinder so you can be assured you are ordering the correct hoses for your application.
I guess you could bring the old hoses to a shop that fabricates hydraulic supply lines and have them made but for me it's just easier to spend five minutes on the computer ordering the compatible manufacturers/OEM part and have them appear on my doorstep a few days later.
As far as the hoses being compatible with future upgrades: that's tough to answer. Depends on the type of changes you may make. I'm not sure that those hoses will work with other manufacturers products- you'll want to research that on their websites.
On a 17 foot boat with an engine 150 horsepower ("except for high performance 150 horsepower engines such as the Mercury Optimax- manufacturers words!!!") or less the BayStar system by Teleflex is an affordable option to the SeaStar system. My experience with both systems is that the hoses for the BayStar system are different than the hoses for the SeaStar system. For example if you replace your SeaStar system hoses now and decide in the future to replace the helm and steering cylinder with the BayStar system the hoses will likely have to be replaced. No biggie really- it's not a significant cost or hassle to swap them out.
Rich


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Author	Topic: Kink in hydraulic steering hose
picflight	posted 03-01-2014 11:42 PM ET (US) There is a kink in the one of the hydraulic steering hoses. I inherited this defect. I think it is a matter of time before the hose will give way. How much of an effort will replacement be for a DIY project? The steering is a SeaStar on a 1998 Outrage 17. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/12869875115_81853f2428_z.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/12870317894_e9a960c8cd_z.jpg I am thinking something like this would be my part: http://www.westmarine.com/ teleflex--seastar-outboard-hose-kits-two-hoses-per-kit--P006_182_003_002
picflight	posted 03-02-2014 12:02 AM ET (US) I have tilt steering if that makes a difference in the procedures to replace or service system.
picflight	posted 03-02-2014 12:07 AM ET (US) I have tilt steering if that makes a difference in the procedures to replace or service system.
rtk	posted 03-02-2014 08:31 AM ET (US) It's an easy fix to just replace that hose kit. The type of helm really isn't relevant to the simple replacement of the hoses. You'll lose hydraulic steering fluid when you remove the old hoses and install the new. The hydraulic steering system will have to be re-filled with fluid and air bled from the system after you are done replacing the hoses. The manufacturer, in the past, has made the instructions on filling and bleeding the system available on their website. Just use care in locating and following the instructions for your specific system. The bleeding of the system is the most "difficult" part of the task. If it is not done properly the system will not perform well. Rich
contender	posted 03-02-2014 09:06 PM ET (US) rtk is correct sometimes its best to come back the second day so any air in the system will form one large bubble to be bleed again. Have some rags handy and a catch tin/pail/can what ever...
picflight	posted 03-03-2014 09:32 AM ET (US) Thanks for the clarity and encouragement. Now comes the part of measuring the existing hose to get the exact length replacement, how is this best done? Also should I be considering a specific replacement or source to accomodate for any future upgrades?
rtk	posted 03-04-2014 07:31 AM ET (US) Look for identifying marks on the hoses to see if the manufacturer printed the part number and length of the hose on the hose. I would remove one hose and simply measure it if the existing hoses do not have identifying marks that indicate the part number and length of the hose. Manufacturers usually have a measuring guide you can follow also. After measuring the hose I would suggest that you identify the model and part number of your helm unit and the steering cylinder so you can be assured you are ordering the correct hoses for your application. I guess you could bring the old hoses to a shop that fabricates hydraulic supply lines and have them made but for me it's just easier to spend five minutes on the computer ordering the compatible manufacturers/OEM part and have them appear on my doorstep a few days later. As far as the hoses being compatible with future upgrades: that's tough to answer. Depends on the type of changes you may make. I'm not sure that those hoses will work with other manufacturers products- you'll want to research that on their websites. On a 17 foot boat with an engine 150 horsepower ("except for high performance 150 horsepower engines such as the Mercury Optimax- manufacturers words!!!") or less the BayStar system by Teleflex is an affordable option to the SeaStar system. My experience with both systems is that the hoses for the BayStar system are different than the hoses for the SeaStar system. For example if you replace your SeaStar system hoses now and decide in the future to replace the helm and steering cylinder with the BayStar system the hoses will likely have to be replaced. No biggie really- it's not a significant cost or hassle to swap them out. Rich