Boating Tips & Tricks Hydraulic Steering - Checks and topping up your fluid

Have you ever noticed your steering to be a bit "notchy" when turning or a lack of responsiveness from the helm? This could be a simple lack of Hydraulic Fluid or it could be from a leak elsewhere in the steering system. Join Sharm as he shows you how to do it and what to check.
#Hydraulicsteering #Boatingtips #Hydraulicfluid
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[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

Thank you for watching! You can follow R Marine Jones and see the latest Tips & Tricks videos here:
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[@tlteal]

Very thorough explanation. Thank you!

[@KSpides53]

Very helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

Thanks for the feedback Keith, we really do appreciate hearing that our videos help.

[@rotfan77]

Thanks so much for showing this, just got a used boat and trying to learn about the maintenance of it, when I was out on the water on my first trip, the boat seemed harder to steer to the left and easy to stay to the right not sure if this is my problem or not but I will start here. Thanks

[@juju1896]

Great clear info, thank you!

[@RochelleJohnston]

Very helpful...thanks!

[@hookdupfishing292]

Great video! Thx!

[@roysejackson8364]

Great thank you.

[@AlexanderTheCanadian]

Thanks a lot! , My steering started to get choppy a couple trips ago, and now she's failing. I checked behind my steering console at the helm and there is a leak from the unit. :c Going to explore options. Cheers,

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

Glad to hear the video helped you diagnose the problem!

[@richardc2803]

Thanks for the video.. Do you want the fluid level with the disc or just above it?

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

Just covering it.

[@tflick134]

I have two steering stations, one in the cabin and one up top in a tower. The steering unit is vertical, how do i add and check the oil level then? The screw you un did is under the wheel on the top station.

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

It would be very uncommon to have the bung at the bottom of the helm unit on a Riviera but it could be possible on other makes.
There is the possibility that the unit has been installed upside down for some reason.
Depending on the boat you may have a pressurised reservoir in the engine room or lazarette. If this is the case there should be a tyre/Schrader valve on the reservoir to pressurise the system. Maybe check the pressure rating on the system and pump it up if required.
There should also be a sight gauge on the reservoir so if the fluid is low maybe try topping it up then pump it back up to pressure.
If there is no reservoir you may have to remove the helm unit from the dash and rotate it the other way around if possible?

[@gabrielrivera1915]

Good video. Dont you need to purge system when topping off?

[@ElbartoBD]

My steering wheel was kinda hard to turn while driving then it just like broke freely and spins infinitely either way. Was stranded on the lake for a few hours. Anyone know what the problem is? 165hp inline 6 inboard motor

[@moisesescotocantu704]

Hello my Friend do you now where I can buy the Hydraulic RAM for a Viking 1994 58 yacht

[@nicolebraxton6273]

Does a 1995 bayliner have this refilling hole?

[@dirkbryan9325]

How much damage did I do by putting grease in the seastar hydraulic fitting

[@Lucky-uk1bv]

On a single helm system Hydraulic steering is crap and causes more grief than traditional mechanical equivalent. The owner needs to understand and know how it all works so they can fix in case of emergency, OR ensure they have emergency steering facilities

[@nicholasstoll1365]

If it is leaking from behind the steering wheel and you fix the link how do you depressurize the line? New to having a big boat so take it easy on me lol

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

Hi Nicholas. The system in the video is not a pressurised unless the wheel is turned (there may be minor residual pressure if there has been recent use). Some hydraulic systems have a header tank in the engine room or similar and it is pumped up with air pressure to help push fluid to upper stations. If this is the case you should be able to depress the little valve on top of the tank, it is like letting air out of a tire valve. If need to do this don't forget to pump it back up after your repairs are complete. The reservoir/tank normally has the required pressure written on it.

[@tombaker3000]

Very good video. I'm wondering if you could explain the "40 by 40 lock" you mentioned.

[@RMarineJonesRivieraQueensland]

40 times going lock to lock with the steering wheel (full lock to port then full lock to stb 40 times)

[@jimmydcricket5893]

20ml's😂🤣 not at work you don't.

[@fishonkayakadventure]

yikes, do not lay your bottle of fluid on your electronics screen.