Please Help. New hyd steering hoses & hyd fluid. Steering Wheel Force jumps up & down
I had to replace my hydraulic steering hoses on a boat 27 years old. I followed the Seastar installation manual and did all the steps in proper order. I think the steering hoses are full of hydraulic fluid, there may be a little air in the hoses.
When I turn the steering wheel it does not turn normally. Turning the steering wheel about 15 Degrees a force builds up to I estimate 6 lb. The engine doesn't turn at all as the force builds. Then the engine turns In a jump, what I think is the right amount Of engine turning. And the force of me turning the steering wheel suddenly drops to zero. If I keep turning the wheel this sort of Sawtooth Force profile continues. The force I have to put on the steering wheel builds with the engine staying still, then the engine takes another jump of turning. It is identical in both directions. I can go all the way to the steering limit back and forth In the same thing happens.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and whether it can be fixed?
I think I could use the boat as is if it keeps doing that. But would I risk being stranded? If I use the boat as is and the problem eventually goes away that would be great.
Another thing that is kind of weird. When I put the cap or plug on the fluid filling hole at the steering wheel I did it finger tight and then gave a little more force with a pair of pliers, not a lot of force. The Upper part of the cap sheared right off. I think it might be because of how old it is and not excessive torque. I searched through the sea star installation manual. I did searches on Google. I can't find anything that says what the proper torque is for that plug. I have a new vented plug and I don't know how much torque I should put it on with. The new cap is finger tight. No hydraulic fluid seeps out of Under the cap.
Thank you