Hydraulic Steering Fluid Add.

[trwestman]

My steering system had a small leak from the seals indoor the dash and the steering is a bit hard at times. I believe that the seals were dry from lack of use because after we drove it the leak stopped. I figure that the fluid level is low and there is air in the lines. Is adding fluid and bleeding the system something I should be able to do without a mechanics help? Is it a two person job?
Do you have a tips for a first-time bleeder? I have the manual with the step-by-step procedures.

Important information: 2002 506, single, SeaStar Tilt Helm

[g36]

Unless its totally dry theres probably not enough air if any to cause much of a problem it would seem spongy. Have you turned the helm all the way both directions till it stops a few times? Have you googled seastar bleeding,? There's really tons of hits with instructions and lots of you tube videos to show how it's done.
https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/c ... lBleed.pdf

[trwestman]

Thanks for the reply. I am experiencing hard to turn moments after 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn each direction. I am able to push through them and the steering seems to react with each steering wheel movement. Might this indicate another issue? Like a physical steering linkage problem or a hydraulic pump?

[Wsullivan71]

You can start by checking the fluid level at the helm. Mine was taking excessive turns left to right and I simply topped off the fluid and turned the wheel lock to lock several times and it was back to normal.

[Cooler]

It is a 2 man job, but there is a way to get it done much easier than a manual bleeding process. There is a kit that attaches to both ends at the same time. Essentially pumps steering fluid through the entire system, removing the air, and refilling the system to complete. Will eliminate a lot of time and frustration. You need to determine the leak point(s). The hydraulic steering arms or actuators are notorius for developing small leaks that are hard to see. Check the local mechanics and see if they will rent the system out. Steering loss is no fun. er

[trwestman]

I bought the bleeder kit ($25) and had to add a 45 degree elbow at the helm to accommodate the fitting. It took a little over half the bottle to top it off after all the air bled out. The only leak I found was at the steering column under the dash. It quit after the first test drive. Steering is wonderful now. No jerks or skips and feels like firm control. Thanks for all your help.

FYI: The kit had a piece that looped the actuator bleeders together so no loss of fluid to clean up in the bilge.

[Cooler]

Good to hear. Half a bottle is a lot of air elimination. Did you notice a significant reduction in lock to lock rotations on the steering wheel? Keep checking that fluid level frequently. er

[trwestman]

At the beginning there was a continuous spin when the filler cap was removed. Now there is a definite 8 revolutions from stop to stop.

[Cooler]

Sounds good. Hopefully, someone with a 506 will chime in on that revolutions number from lock to lock. You may want to let the system sit for a few days, and hook your bleeding system up again.

Viper - does that 8 revolution number sound right to you? er