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  1. #1
    Member
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    Jan 2008
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    Alternative to sea star steering fluid?

    Already have to buy the high priced rebuild kit. Is there any alternatives to the sea star fluid that don’t cost so much?
    1995 Ranger 487VS / 1998 Mercury 200 EFI

  2. Member
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    Oct 2007
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    Haughton, La
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    4,493
    #2
    I've used power steering fluid in the past. Don't if I would today with all the issues I here about on everything!
    2014 Phoenix 721XP, 250 SHO, Bobs Action Jack, Dual Blades, 112 Ultrex, 2019 Lariat FX4 F150 Supercrew 4x4

  3. Member 06 SB's Avatar
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    Feb 2012
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    West Point Lake, GA
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    11,002
    #3
    From the FAQs of Seastar: "SeaStar Steering Fluid can be replaced by any Hydraulic fluid with Mil Spec H5606."

    Power Steering Fluid was not mentioned. Also is specifically states that ATF will void the warranty.

    USN Retired
    2020 Basscat Caracal
    2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s



  4. Member
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    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Wynonah, Pa
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    482
    #4
    H5606 is good. I used aw-32 since it was available local. $12 a gallon and zero issues.

  5. Member
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    Apr 2012
    Location
    Loganville GA
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    1,021
    #5
    From the FAQs of Seastar: "SeaStar Steering Fluid can be replaced by any Hydraulic fluid with Mil Spec H5606."

    This! I went to NAPA and picked some up, for tractors I believe it was. Got a gallon for about $12 as the other guy stated. It didn't take nowhere near a gallon but I have it now in case I need in the future.

  6. Member
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    Nov 2017
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    Alabama
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    94
    #6
    I picked up a quart of Royco 756 at my local airport

  7. Member Bassman Ia.'s Avatar
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    Mar 2005
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    Co.Bluffs
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    #7
    Bought a gallon at the aircraft supply house.


    Same price as a qt of Sea Star Fluid

  8. Member
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    Sep 2016
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    981
    #8
    Two bottles of hydraulic jack oil..............from Wally World.
    2007 Skeeter 21i 300HDPI

  9. Moderator
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    May 2012
    Location
    Lake Worth, FL
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    1,091
    #9
    BOSS snow plow hydraulic fluid is an exact milspec match.

  10. Member
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    Jan 2008
    Location
    Eastern Nebraska
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    #10
    How does a person know if a hydraulic oil meets the 5606 standard? Looked at a fair amount this weekend local to me and none I could find said anything about meeting H5606.
    1995 Ranger 487VS / 1998 Mercury 200 EFI

  11. Member
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    Jun 2004
    Location
    Davie, FL
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    1,524
    #11
    Run out to your local airport and find the pilot shop or a mechanic. Either should have a quart they can sell you. I buy it by the gallon. Most of your corporate jets and small prop planes use it.
    Dave Sheffield
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  12. Member Bassman Ia.'s Avatar
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    Mar 2005
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    Co.Bluffs
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    #12
    Quote Originally Posted by bassin_man View Post
    How does a person know if a hydraulic oil meets the 5606 standard? Looked at a fair amount this weekend local to me and none I could find said anything about meeting H5606.
    See my post above? It says H5606 right on the can. I bought that can at a Aircraft supply house down by The airport


  13. BOOMER SOONER OkieBud's Avatar
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    Aug 2004
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    Bixby Ok.
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    50,994
    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Bassman Ia. View Post
    Bought a gallon at the aircraft supply house.


    Same price as a qt of Sea Star Fluid
    I got a quart of this from my dad stockpile..

  14. Member
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    Apr 2012
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    Insomnia, near Seaford Delaware
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    35,604
    #15
    I use this, might be wrong but for the last three years, it works for me.
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech...&wl13=&veh=sem

  15. Member
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    May 2017
    Location
    Green Bay, Wisconsin
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    539
    #16
    Was trying to find seastar in town one place has gallon only and another is $34qt. Was looking for alternatives, looks like a truck store will have the boss snow plow fluid. Going to give that a try.
    98 Ra​nger R93
    00 Evinrude 175hp Ficht
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  16. USAF Retired Astro-T's Avatar
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    Mar 2005
    Location
    Omaha, NE
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    2,708
    #17
    I'm using AW-32 as well with no problems. Which Seastar system do you have? I have the part #'s for the seal and wiper for the gland ends if you want to change them out yourself. I bought 3 of each online and paid roughly $35

  17. Member BOATS's Avatar
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    Nov 2012
    Location
    Jacksonville FL
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    7,533
    #18
    Automatic transmission fluid works also.
    XPRESS H 18 SS, YAMAHA 115

  18. Member
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    Sep 2017
    Location
    Minnesota
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    302
    #19
    fork lift dealer ... hydraulic fluid by the drum if you want and by the gallon. really cheap there, not to mention hydraulics on forklifts get beaten on hard with way more temp flucations that what a sea star will ever see

  19. Member 06 SB's Avatar
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    Feb 2012
    Location
    West Point Lake, GA
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    11,002
    #20
    Quote Originally Posted by BOATS View Post
    Automatic transmission fluid works also.
    ...and voids Seastar’s warranty!

    USN Retired
    2020 Basscat Caracal
    2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s



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