DPH Steering ram oil leak - How much is too Much?

kennyh

kennyh

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I’ve got a minor oil leak from one of the trim cylinders on my DPH-A sterdrive.

Oil level looks good in the hydraulic fluid tank and steering appears to work fine.

I will in the very near future replace either seals or the complete ram.

Q: If only a tiny amount of oil is leaking (seen if I squeeze the ram rubber boot), can I limp by for a journey or two, or do I need to cancel my trips (4 hours of use) and get it hauled out?

A difficult question to answer definitely but just trying to understand the risk.
 
kennyh said:
I’ve got a minor oil leak from one of the trim cylinders on my DPH-A sterdrive.

Oil level looks good in the hydraulic fluid tank and steering appears to work fine.

I will in the very near future replace either seals or the complete ram.

Q: If only a tiny amount of oil is leaking (seen if I squeeze the ram rubber boot), can I limp by for a journey or two, or do I need to cancel my trips (4 hours of use) and get it hauled out?

A difficult question to answer definitely but just trying to understand the risk.
Click to expand...
Has boat been out if water ? I've just had 2 different boats hauled for service and after a week in this hotter weather they started to leak .
 
It won't get any better on its own, let's put it that way.
The hydraulic steering system on these is a single point of failure.
I prefer to leave the dockside without known defects, which leaves plenty of space for the unknown ones to rock up later :)
 
SC35 said:
It won't get any better on its own, let's put it that way.
The hydraulic steering system on these is a single point of failure.
I prefer to leave the dockside without known defects, which leaves plenty of space for the unknown ones to rock up later :)
Click to expand...
Agreed!

Decided not to risk it especially as I have a single Engine / Leg - so Single Single point of failure.
 
kennyh said:
....Q: If only a tiny amount of oil is leaking (seen if I squeeze the ram rubber boot), can I limp by for a journey or two, or do I need to cancel my trips (4 hours of use) and get it hauled out?....
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That doesn't quantify the leak. How long has oil been collecting inside the boot?

I'd remove the boot, operate the steering and observe, then make a decision.
 
Ok - removed boot and it had numerous oil drops in it. Operated steering no obvious sign of leak, however steering fill point was low so clearly some fluid loss.

Decided not to chance a trip out and will arrange a lift.

Next question….


Q: Assuming fluid is leaking from around the shaft, should I simply do a seal replacement OR buy new rams. (I’m working on the theory I’d fix / replace both rams now)? In other words is a Seal replacement a viable option or should I just bite the bullet and replace the rams?
 
kennyh said:
Ok - removed boot and it had numerous oil drops in it. Operated steering no obvious sign of leak, however steering fill point was low so clearly some fluid loss.

Decided not to chance a trip out and will arrange a lift.

Next question….


Q: Assuming fluid is leaking from around the shaft, should I simply do a seal replacement OR buy new rams. (I’m working on the theory I’d fix / replace both rams now)? In other words is a Seal replacement a viable option or should I just bite the bullet and replace the rams?
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well, i replaced seals on rams that were tough to replace in total
the shafts were a slightly different size on each side which caused quite a bit of hassle
i'd replace both rams in total if possible
the seals wear due to contamination on the shafts, if you keep the leg down when in the water the seals will last longer
 
I think we might be getting mixed up between trim rams and steering rams.

The trim rams are the chunky things that are attached to the transom shield and you can protect by keeping the drive trimmed down.

Steering rams are the things with the rubber gaiters on the side of the drive (highlighted below) that fail on a regular basis.

1747238817462.jpeg
 
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I have lost count of how many steering cylinders I have replaced, but bear in mind when they leak oil they also can pull in seawater on the return stroke. Keep an eye on the oil in the resevoir in the engine room, if its like Ribena good, if its pinkish then its got seawater in it. The oroblem then is the shuttle valve at the back of the engine can rust and then the steering won’t work, it needs flushing out when the cylinders are replaced.
The other thing is check the level at the helmpump as if this drops you will lose your steering.
 
kennyh said:
Ok - removed boot and it had numerous oil drops in it. Operated steering no obvious sign of leak, however steering fill point was low so clearly some fluid loss.

Decided not to chance a trip out and will arrange a lift.

Next question….


Q: Assuming fluid is leaking from around the shaft, should I simply do a seal replacement OR buy new rams. (I’m working on the theory I’d fix / replace both rams now)? In other words is a Seal replacement a viable option or should I just bite the bullet and replace the rams?
Click to expand...

I replaced both steering rams.

The scrapers on the newest ones are a bit better than the original design.

.
 
Hmm I’ve just read this lot from the start .
So op has titled the post relating to steering rams but then it states trim rams .
My first reply relates to steering rams .
So what is the actual post relating to , trim or steering .
 
volvopaul said:
Hmm I’ve just read this lot from the start .
So op has titled the post relating to steering rams but then it states trim rams .
My first reply relates to steering rams .
So what is the actual post relating to , trim or steering .
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Sorry all - completely my fault in creating the confusion here…. And I can’t seem to edit the original post!!

I am talking about Steering Rams.

So ignore any reference to trim ram.

Here’s the offending item; I’ve ordered replacements (I’ll do both).

Q: Any tips on preventing fluid leakage from hoses once detached? And any tips to aid filling the new rams and bleeding them?
 

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Be very careful not to cross the threads when fitting the hose ends into the new rams.
Sail Tape over the hose ends prevents major leakage.
I removed bubbles by moving the steering side to side lots of times and topping up at the steering wheel with the engines running.
There might be a more professional way of doing that.
 
kennyh said:
Sorry all - completely my fault in creating the confusion here…. And I can’t seem to edit the original post!!

I am talking about Steering Rams.

So ignore any reference to trim ram.

Here’s the offending item; I’ve ordered replacements (I’ll do both).

Q: Any tips on preventing fluid leakage from hoses once detached? And any tips to aid filling the new rams and bleeding them?
Click to expand...
Have you posted on facebook? As I've replied to same question
 
kennyh said:
......Q: Any tips on preventing fluid leakage from hoses once detached? And any tips to aid filling the new rams and bleeding them?
Click to expand...

I'd beg steal or borrow plastic caps or plugs, correct size and thread, as supplied with new hoses or components. Or tapered plugs in a material that won't shed any bits that will get into the system, i.e. plastic not wood.
 
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