Sea Star Helm Leaks, has anyone rebuilt one?

[HighVelocity]

My helm is leaking at the base so I am ordering the helm seal
kit #HS 5176. I have a Seastar Pro Helm 2.0 HH5770 1,500 max psi.

Lookiing at the content's of the kit it looks like various O-Rings and a new base gasket. I think the gasket is what failed on mine. Maybe the summer heat was too much and the oil couldn't get out for some reason and it popped. It's a very minor leak but enough to be annoying.

So when I take those 8 allen bolts out of the base of the helm, and it comes apart. What should I expect???????????????????????????? tic tic boom??? I mean are there going to ball bearings and springs popping out??? Should I open it in a catch box??? I am hoping for the best and expecting the worst right now any gems would be a great help.

HV

[Euroski]

I haven't, but suggest you take some digital pictures as you take it apart. Not unlesss you got a photographic brain or start drinking.

[T-REX]

They are sprangz and ballz in ther, but it ain't bad...Juss take it apart slowly, and keep ya eyez on stuff...there iz a exsploded view wit your kit...It ain't rocket science

[flabum1017]

That kit should have detailed instructions, they are very easy though.

[HighVelocity]

Those are great idea's. I will take some good pic's along the way. Then I will post them too so this thread can be help to someone else. I'm not affraid of the springs an ball bearings but if I don't have to open up a can of worms I won't. I really just need to get that base gasket on there, that big one in the bag.

[HighVelocity]

Here are just a few...

[HighVelocity]

more pics

[Powerplay25]

Good job Ed. You're smarter than you look.

[HighVelocity]

I am thinking because of the vented cap that Seastar uses, that dirt gets into the reservior and causes that sludge to form. Other than that I can't think of why it was so contaminated.

Anyway, the mechanism is inside is really not bad to put back together, I don't think powerplay25 could do it, but we knew that since I fix most of his stuff...lol

I decided not to take apart the rear were the smaller o-rings are located, it just seemed unnecessary since the helm was operating fine.

It's been sitting for a week now, full of oil, and knock on wood, NO LEAKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I can help anyone with some questions besides powerplay25 I will.

Dave, you're fat and bloated.

HV

[HighVelocity]

Still not leaking. I am gong to let this thing sit for as long as I can with oil in it. I guess like any other gasket, its only a matter of time before a leak occurs. I hope these pics help someone else out.

[HighVelocity]

I thought I would revive this thread after reading someone wanted to do a helm rebuild.

FYI- I also found out you should clean these helms periodically. As you can tell from the pics above, the amount of sludge is amazing.

[bigboy]

Can you dissamble it in that way you only have the tapered shaft left where the steering slides on?

Thx

[HighVelocity]

You're drinking too much beer my friend.

You MUST take the helm off the dash to get to the allen bolts in the rear and yes you have to disconnect the hoses.

Once you take it apart it will be very evident on how it should go back together.

However, I did take a lot of pictures for you to reference.

I would tell you, if you are looking to save 10 minutes of time, let someone else do it. This is possible your life at steak... DO IT RIGHT!!!

[bigboy]

I know how to dissamble the unit. I just wonder when you take it apart is it possible that you can take the tapered shaft out? In the pictures I see there is still some material on and not the shaft only. Looks like the shaft is pressed in something? Why this question? Because the threads on my are gone and that way I can dissamble and put the the tapered shaft in the bench and cut new threads....

[HighVelocity]

I believe your right, that is pressed in there. I would think you would have to use a lot of heat to get it out.

Hmmmm I would contact a representative at SeaStar/Siera see what they say. I'm not 100% sure if there are rubber seals in that surrounding piece that will melt with heat. Plus once you take it out can you be sure to get it back in tight?

I would try to work around it if you can.

Ed