Seastar steering air purge

[Gamblerman65]

I had a leak in my Seastar steering at 1 of the rear cylinder seals. I ordered the seals from Seastar and also ordered the crossover tube for bleeding the system. After 3 attempts to get all of the air out of the system I called tech support at Seastar. Before I could finish telling the technician my problem he asked if I had used the crossover tube which I told him that I had. He said that the crossover tube is not the correct way to bleed the system and it creates small bubbles that turn into large air bubbles. I bled the system the old way 1 side at a time and now the problem is solved. I know the crossover tube works for some but not for me. Good luck.

[1ranger487vs]

Yep bleed it like brakes

[swamprat]

I used the old way per. instructions when I first installed mine,Worked great.
I used crossover tube a couple of years ago when I installed new seals, Crossover way SUCKS, Had to use old way to get all the air out, Not to mention the big mess crossover tube made.

[billnorman1]

I saw the crossover tube method, and never decided to try it. I either use an inverted fill quart with the bottom cut off, or a piece of tubing with the end submerged in a container half full of new fluid.

[DaveBrabec]

I don’t use the cross over tube. Just one side then the other. Run a whole quart through it. You can keep spinning the wheel and pump fluid through.

[digthemup]

You can keep turning the wheel and pump fluid through. Keep an eye at the fluid level by using a small piece of clear tubing, about a foot long or so, with one end in the reservoir with little fluid in it to watch your level.
Refill reservoir as need and keep it at the bottom of threads to allow for heat expansion.
BTW, I spray the rods with silicone spray and turn the wheel a few times to keep seals lubed and pliable.

[518RangerJeff]

For sure. I like to smear a little lithium grease at least once a month.

[tr196]

I used the cross over tube to bleed my system...but I cut the hose in half, installed a T with another length of hose going to the catch bottle. That way I don't need to move the hose back and forth. Just crack the valve and crank the steering wheel, then repeat on the other side.