Hydraulic Steering Problem

[quicktrip]

I have a 1981 21ft Superboat with a 99 Promax 300. The steering is an old Hynautic model with a remote tank with pressure guage and little pump on top. First off who ever mounted the remote tank really screwed me, its all the way in the back corner and really hard just to even see, let alone fill (I still am not too sure where to fill). It seems like I would have to remove the gauge or pump leaver to fill.

Since I bought the boat the steering has been stiff. The weird part is while driving, if I lower the engine all the way down on the jack plate its perfect (like driving a car, but as soon as I raise it up to let it fly, two hands and a whole lot of muscle to turn.

Just this year after pulling the covers off from the winter, I went to turn the wheel to lube all the grease fitiings on the engine brackets and found you needed two hands and muscles to turn it, sitting in my drive way.

The fluid level seems to be ok (through the site glass on the tank (still on the top glass site)) and even tried to bleed from what I could read from the directions on the tank. The helm is very noisey (clicking and clanking).

Do you think its a bleeding issue or is the steering done?

What is a good, reliable, safe, performance, cost worthy, replacement system?
Thanks!

[kimswang]

There is a guy on ebay who sells rebuild kits for the old Hynautics. I did mine and it clicks but works good. You might have the wrong fluid in it and the pressure should be +/- 35PSI. Since you mention that it works fine while the engine is down it might suggest that you have an open valve in the pump. Take it apart and check all the springs and the steel balls, service the rubber with new parts and it should be good.