Help with steering noise

thinkxingu · 07-04-2016, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Why would there be an initial tap? I'm not sure what that means. A hesitation? Hydraulic steering should be smooth all the way left to right and back. Perhaps after a little use, you have a bubble in the system and it needs to be bled? In a former boat I had to add fluid every spring. Nobody ever saw a drop lost into the bilge or around fittings, etc. (Scotch is aged in a full barrel. When you tap it six years later, some is missing. This is known as the Angel's Share.) You may have an angel in the hydraulic system.

What I mean by the initial tap is what I assume to be a little play when going from one direction to the other. Should there be absolutely no noise/clunking turning the wheel?

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DesertDweller · 07-04-2016, 05:24 PM

I have the same system as you (last two boats actually) and it's always been very smooth with no clunking or other sounds. As stated above, possibly air in the system. Have the dealer check it out as it is a new boat.

pjard · 07-04-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

What I mean by the initial tap is what I assume to be a little play when going from one direction to the other. Should there be absolutely no noise/clunking turning the wheel?

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

That little bit of play is called a hysteresis (whew, big word, Google it if you don't believe me). It's normal and the natural torque of the prop spinning may make a difference in left vs. right turns as well. Lot's of variables involved. All this being said, if your wheel turns free for much more than a quarter turn you could have another problem.

Descant · 07-04-2016, 09:40 PM

Big word notwithstanding, it should be smooth throughout the range or rotation.

Slickcraft · 07-05-2016, 05:01 AM

We have Seastar on the new Eastern with a 115 Yamaha; absolutely smooth lock to lock. As noted, you could have air in the lines.

At speed with the wheel stationary the system acts to hold the steering fixed so that prop torque will not turn the steering if you take your hands off the wheel. Like a hydraulic clutch. The wheel has to be turned a slight distance either way to release the clutch effect however the transition should be smooth. (Yes hysteresis is a proper term).

07-04-2016, 05:24 PM	#2
DesertDweller Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV and Moultonborough, NH Posts: 379 Thanks: 25 Thanked 87 Times in 73 Posts	I have the same system as you (last two boats actually) and it's always been very smooth with no clunking or other sounds. As stated above, possibly air in the system. Have the dealer check it out as it is a new boat.

07-04-2016, 09:40 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,377 Thanks: 1,352 Thanked 1,628 Times in 1,060 Posts	Big word notwithstanding, it should be smooth throughout the range or rotation.

07-05-2016, 05:01 AM	#5
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,309 Thanks: 1,227 Thanked 2,098 Times in 957 Posts	We have Seastar on the new Eastern with a 115 Yamaha; absolutely smooth lock to lock. As noted, you could have air in the lines. At speed with the wheel stationary the system acts to hold the steering fixed so that prop torque will not turn the steering if you take your hands off the wheel. Like a hydraulic clutch. The wheel has to be turned a slight distance either way to release the clutch effect however the transition should be smooth. (Yes hysteresis is a proper term).