Hydraulic steering problem?

[angleiron4]

I got the jackplates and engine back on the boat today, but in doing so I think I found a problem with the hydrualic steering. I have a Stroker with a 250XS, and it has the SeaStar hydraulic steering.

When I turn the wheel, I can see the steering cylinder move...but the engine takes a little more tuning of the wheel to get it to move. I can actually move the engine from side to side by hand, and on my other bass boats I was never able to do this! The engine can be moved side to side, and the cylinder will move with it as it slides on the shaft.

I can see some slop 1/32" between the what appears to be nylon bushing on the bracket that attaches to the cylinder...but what I can't figure out is the cylinder that slides on the shaft can be moved about 3/4" from side to side?

I do not think it is air in the system, as the cylinder will move with the turn of the steering wheel. Is there something that gets worn out because of the hard mounts in my 250XS? My Allison had dual Mercury racing steering, and my previous bass boats did not have this kind of HP...and had the solid mounts. This slop will affect the driving BIG TIME, so if you have any ideas I need to hear about them.

[CCM]

angleironr: Do you mean the shaft that goes thru the tilt tube is moving back and forth? If so from what you've said it sounds like you are missing some of spacers that go on the shaft that goes thru the tilt tube. The spacers take up most of the space and a knurled nut threaded on the tilt tube removes the rest.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Angleiron4, I Have The Same Situation As You. I Can Move My Motor By Hand Force About 1/4-1/2" And Watch The Hyd. Ram Slide In And Out Maybe 1/4". I've Been Told That My Seastar Pro Is About As Tight As You Can Get It And That The Movement Is Normal??? I Can Also See The Wing Arms That Attach To The Hyd. Ram On Each Side Flex A Little?? Sea Star Did Just Release For Sale A New Hi-performance Hyd. Ram That's Supposed To Take The "slack" And Flex Out Of The Steering But I Hear It Is Expensive ($500.00) Or So. Keep Us Posted On Your Progress.

[david laser86]

Seastar pro will have a little play but is nothing to worry about as long as it's properly bled and you have the correct spacers for your make of motor like CCM mentioned (Merc, Yamaha, etc). If it's just a little play in the ram that's normal. Take her out and let her rip! Dave.

[valero1990]

i had a similar problem w/my sea star cylinder and it was not a pro. i found a square bushing that i rotated 90 degrees and it was like driving a new boat! you have to pull the bolt out that goes thru the tiller arm and look under the washer. if it is a pro it will not be the same as this. good luck

[Mage Marine]

Please re-bleed the system, I have installed dozens of these systems with less than 1/4" of play, I bleed my seastar installs twice as much as the directions say to do, and on my tunnels all 5 of them, they get bled every other year, believe me it works!:cool: