stupid question im sure...please help

[jo8330]

Hi guys. I recently acquired a 1985 chris craft 333 commander. I love the boat, however have never owned anything this big. It has twin merc 340s. I just replaced manifolds and risers and did a full tune up on both engines, they run great. Im getting the boat ready to besplashed. Here Iis my question. I need to test my steering systemm there is power steering pumps. Ive never owned a boat with power steering. Should I be able to turn the rudders without the engines running ? On the lower station there Iis a lot of resistance but the rudders do not move. The upper station there is no resistance, I know its hooked up cause of the hydraulic lines in the back. Question is how do I see if they work. ? I cant move the rudders by hand either. Ive never owned this type of steering system before andni know nothing about it . Is it cable driven with power assist ? If that were the case shouldn I be able to turn the rudders without power ? Confused. Is there a possibility they froze up. The boats been sittimg two years. Thabks guys.

 

[Bt Doctur]

the question is do you have assisted steering or cable steering, or total hyd. steering?????????????????

 

[jo8330]

You know im not sure. I will be at the boat today and will report back. What would be more common on a boat this size with dual stations ?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Usually inboards use hyd steering but pictures will let us know for sure. " I know its hooked up cause of the hydraulic lines in the back."
That should tell you its a hyd system, you should see the same hoses at both stations. The rudders should be hooked to a hyd cylinder that moves the rudders.

 

[jo8330]

Its definitely a hydraulic aasist system. I believe there is some sort of a cable on the lower helm and just 3/8 lines coming off of the upper station.. unfortunately I didnt make it to the boat and I wont be thers for a few days. I think my forst course of action is going to be to bleed the system and refill it, then if there is a cable in the steering cylinder lube the crap out of it. What type of fluid is used in these systems ? Someone told me atf. Is this true. Im learning more and more about these sytems through reading, but I just didnt get a chance to look at the one on my boat yet.

 

[jo8330]

Ok, got a chance to look. Also got a chance to learn a little about these systems. Its definitely hydraulic. There is lines that come from the helm pump up top, and the lower station. They go to what looks like some sort of a junction box. Four lines go in, two come out to the steering cylinder. Here is the problem I believe. The steering cylinder is frozen from setting. I removed one of the lines from the cylinder (couldnt for the life of me find a bleeder screw) and tapped the end that extends and retracts iwith a hammer. Its moving, but barely, and its jerky. Its not moving freely. Fluid is spurting out of the line i removed with each tap. But like I said, its barely moving. So I put oil on the shaft, left it run down the whole thing, am trying to find a grease fitting. I guess ill just keep tapping turning and trying to get it free. I bled out all the old fluid, im worried if I put new fluid in and try to turn it with the cylinder not loosened up enough, ill start blowing out lines......any advice would be great.. thanks guys.

 

[jo8330]

Oh, forgot to mentions I unbolted it from the rudders. Both move freely. Thank god.

 

[tank1949]

Hi guys. I recently acquired a 1985 chris craft 333 commander. I love the boat, however have never owned anything this big. It has twin merc 340s. I just replaced manifolds and risers and did a full tune up on both engines, they run great. Im getting the boat ready to besplashed. Here Iis my question. I need to test my steering systemm there is power steering pumps. Ive never owned a boat with power steering. Should I be able to turn the rudders without the engines running ? On the lower station there Iis a lot of resistance but the rudders do not move. The upper station there is no resistance, I know its hooked up cause of the hydraulic lines in the back. Question is how do I see if they work. ? I cant move the rudders by hand either. Ive never owned this type of steering system before andni know nothing about it . Is it cable driven with power assist ? If that were the case shouldn I be able to turn the rudders without power ? Confused. Is there a possibility they froze up. The boats been sittimg two years. Thabks guys.

I owned a Penn Yann that had a lever to connect or disconnect upper station helm. You upper mau not be engaged! My twin MCs are a ***** to turn steering without motors ON!

 

[jerryjerry05]

IF??? you have a hyd system the actuator it's possible it's frozen?
The system is self bleeding as you turn the wheel back and forth.
No drains. It fills from the top station(is it full?).
If you unhook the actuator, you should be able to push the rod in and out with a little force.
Pics??/ That would help a lot.