Seastar Pro Steering on 2019 Nitro Z20. Loose steering wheel. It has 1" or so play when I first move steering wheel. I can rock wheel back n forth without hydraulic on engine moving.
I figured I had air so I bled the system and a tiny bit of bubbles came out. I did it again and zero air came out.
It feels like it's in the helm but there is no way to tighten or adjust up there.
I actually thought steering wheel was loose but checked and all is well.
Thoughts?
read this thread, https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread...=seastar+loose, and also do a search on the top right of the page for seastar loose, lots of info there
I searched and couldnt find my problem duplicated. The link above is on the ram. My problem is the slack is on the helm at the steering wheel. I can wiggle steering wheel back n forth and NOTHING moves on the motor, ram, etc. I even checked to see if steering wheel was loose and when I did that, I could grab the threaded rod the steering wheel goes on and wiggle it back n forth with my fingers.
If you have tilt steering check this: Peel back the rubber boot from the dash. You should be able to see the "knuckle" that attaches to the helm shaft. It's secured by an allen-head bolt. Turn/tilt the wheel enough to gain access to tighten the bolt. You should be able to see if there's any play in it.
2002 Skeeter ZX200
2018 200SHO
I did the bubble purge with the OutBoard Specialty tools Bubble Purge G2 Hydraulic Steering Bleed and Purge Kit for Seastar. Wow was that way easier to do than the old school ways. Also I put link below on a video, go to 10:15 on the video and watch. There is a collar that you can adjust to take slack out of the steering. Mine was loose and had backed all the way off so it was doing nothing. I adjusted it and tightened it and no more wiggle wiggle in my motor. you could have air in the helm, also, i really recommend using the purge kit. Makes getting all the air out much easier and cleaner.
2020 Ranger 521L, Merc 250 Pro XS
There are various methods to bleed a hydraulic system. It seems to me to be best to block the ram from moving, and put a hose on the bleeder with the other end of the (clear) hose below the level of clean fluid in a container. I cut the bottom off an old steering fluid bottle, hang it upside down, use a tapered cap and put the hose around the nozzle. Then I add some fluid to cover the nozzle and s l o w l y turn the wheel back and forth until there are no more bubbles. Keep the helm full.
If you turn the system quickly you can aerate the fluid which will give you excess play.
Doesn't matter if you feel the slack in the helm and think that's where the problem is! Air in the cylinder will cause slop in the wheel so the system needs to be bled.
2005 Triton TR-186
2024 Mercury Pro XS 150
Good info above and all mentioned may be the culprit. Check the tilt mechanism as suggested. Check nut on steering arm as suggested. I had one that cracked and wouldn’t hold tension. Re-bleed the system after those two checks. If problem persists, have it looked at. Too expensive just to throw parts at it, and too dangerous not to be in working order.
I have similar issue. Steering wheel moves back and forth about, maybe 1/2" or so, but no movement out of the cylinder at all. Feels like helm is loose inside. Mine is a Triton with a 150 yamaha, though. Different design than the video posted above, but still seastar hyd steering.
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