Steering Fluid Leak

[ejsharp]

We just purchased a used Grady Offshore Pro and there is a steering fluid leak. It is coming from the assembly just behind the steering wheel.

Any ideas about what might be causing the leak and what I might do to fix it?

Earl Sharp
Wilmington N.C.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Ayuh,... It sounds like it has Hyd. steering,+ the Hyd. Helm needs New Seals....

1st thing to do is Identify the Helm....

 

[ejsharp]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Is it possible that a seal is leaking because of vibrations and if so, is there a way to tighten things up without disassembling the helm?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Nope... Not if it's a Seal...

If it's just a leaking line or fitting,.... Maybe...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

I've used the Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak in my automobile power steering system with great success. I put it in and after a week or so, it just stopped leaking! If your problem is just old, dry, shrunken seals then this may work for you, but maybe you should check your system out for a cracked seal or hydraulic hose. Good Luck!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

I've used the Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak in my automobile power steering system with great success. I put it in and after a week or so, it just stopped leaking! If your problem is just old, dry, shrunken seals then this may work for you, but maybe you should check your system out for a cracked seal or hydraulic hose. Good Luck!

I doubt any snake oil products will fix that type of steering.
Find the leak.They make seal kits for them.

 

[ejsharp]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Well I suppose an intelligent question might be: What must be done to find the leak and thus determine the cause and ultimately a solution? Is there a way to remove surrounding panels so that the unit can be better examined? Currently I'm limited to lying on my back and peering up at the bottom side of the steering apparatus aided by my Makita LXT flashlight.



Earl

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Ayuh,... It'll probably be Easier to just remove the Helm,+ repair in On the Bench...

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Ayuh,... It'll probably be Easier to just remove the Helm,+ repair in On the Bench...

Agreed, if it is leaking it needs to come out. HOWEVER, if it is a hose or fitting that is leaking, no need to remove it. You're just going to have to do it like any other mortal and look at it in place to see where the oil is coming from. Even if you were to remove the helm, you still have to get up in there where you can see and work.

You still haven't said what kind of system you have. I'm fairly familiar with the Hynautic brand.

 

[ejsharp]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

I don't know which system I have... but laying on my back and peering up at the bottom of the pump with my Makita flashlight seems to have paid off. The leak was coming from a threaded plastic plug which has a 3/8" Phillips head inset,... the plug being located at the port side of the pump body. There is a spring and fluid behind the plug.

I tightened the plug using an Allen wrench but that only slowed the leak so I removed the plug and saw that it held a rather hardened 0-ring which I removed and replaced with a new one.

So tomorrow I will insert the plug again and hopefully transfusions to the steering system will no longer be required.

PS Removal of the compass from the dash will expose the top portion of the pump... a procedure that revealed a sound, leak-less upper pump section.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

Sounds like you located it anyway.The new o-ring will probably fix it...
Good Job!

 

[richardr]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

GOOD MORNING

i have fluid coming out of the helm what would i use to get the wheel off //
?? its been on there for a long time ???
filling eveytime i go out fishing its starting to upset me a bit also the the wheel moves like it is missing it not smoth..
richardr

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Fluid Leak

GOOD MORNING

i have fluid coming out of the helm what would i use to get the wheel off //
?? its been on there for a long time ???
filling eveytime i go out fishing its starting to upset me a bit also the the wheel moves like it is missing it not smoth..
richardr

Ayuh,... For Starters Richard,...
Start a thread of your Own, instead of Hy-jacking every other thread about Hyd. steering...
In this thread you're going to start, include any Identification of what Your helm is...
They're Not all the Same,...
And,... Exactly where is Leaking...

Steering Wheels are removed by loosening the shaft nut,+ back it off til it's Flush with the end of the shaft,...
Then position your knees under the wheel, applying as much Upward pressure as possible...
Then SMACK the nut with a Hammer...
The wheel will Pop, remove the nut,+ then the wheel...