Hydraulic trim pump

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Keithleask

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Hi wonder if anyone can shed some light on a couple of steering problems that have come up? Not sure if they are linked or not? A few weeks ago I was concerned about the amount of play on the steering wheel. The steering is via cable from what looks like a conventional rack and pinion at the end of the short steering column , was thinking of either trying to adjust the cable ( cannot see any linkages to adjust at either end) or replacing the cable. However since then and with the boat not used in the last few weeks the steering has gone quite stiff. The boat is a sunseeker Martinique 39 1994, power steering on the starboard engine, pump, belts , tension all look fine , greased up the nipples on the yokes, checked the oil in the PS reservoir , all good, wheels turns slightly easier port to starboard. Whilst looking around at the steering cylinders etc noticed that the oil in the reservoir for the starboard trim pump was yellow it looked and felt like it is emulsified, the port trim drive reservoir was perfect with "normal " looking oil, ie felt right and right viscosity etc.would this affect the steering, making it stiff or is this just a different problem which looks like it might be a lift out and legs checked out? I was assured these had been serviced in March/ April this year! Any ideas about the above would be greatly appreciated, apologies for the long winded description just wanted to get the right points across, thanks
 
Keithleask said:
Hi wonder if anyone can shed some light on a couple of steering problems that have come up? Not sure if they are linked or not? A few weeks ago I was concerned about the amount of play on the steering wheel. The steering is via cable from what looks like a conventional rack and pinion at the end of the short steering column , was thinking of either trying to adjust the cable ( cannot see any linkages to adjust at either end) or replacing the cable. However since then and with the boat not used in the last few weeks the steering has gone quite stiff. The boat is a sunseeker Martinique 39 1994, power steering on the starboard engine, pump, belts , tension all look fine , greased up the nipples on the yokes, checked the oil in the PS reservoir , all good, wheels turns slightly easier port to starboard. Whilst looking around at the steering cylinders etc noticed that the oil in the reservoir for the starboard trim pump was yellow it looked and felt like it is emulsified, the port trim drive reservoir was perfect with "normal " looking oil, ie felt right and right viscosity etc.would this affect the steering, making it stiff or is this just a different problem which looks like it might be a lift out and legs checked out? I was assured these had been serviced in March/ April this year! Any ideas about the above would be greatly appreciated, apologies for the long winded description just wanted to get the right points across, thanks
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Dont think its related. Trim pumps are normally a circuit on their own.You would need to put a guage in to see if the pump is producing pressure. If there is pressure , then it could be a cable problem
 
You didn't say what motors you have, I guess Volvo, the trim is completely seperate so thats another issue if the oil is contaminated, usuually a trim cylinder leaking past the ram seal if Volvo, or it could be a hose.
The steering if its a VP 290 drive or a Mercruiser have a servo cylinder on the starboard transom which the cable passes through, you could take out the pin anchoring the cable to the steering arm and then see if it is the same in which it is the steering cable. If its easier then you are not getting enough servo assistance which could be the shuttle valve on the servo cylinder not working correctly in one particular direction. You need somone to twirl the wheel with the engine running while you look at the body of the servo cylinder, the bit where the cable connects with a big nut should float from side to side when rocking the wheel from side to side, which in turn opens a valve for the hydraulic pressure to act on the cylinder.
Check the cable end nut is tight at the cylinder as if there is any slack here there will be lost movement on the shuttle valve.
 
Trim pump

spannerman said:
You didn't say what motors you have, I guess Volvo, the trim is completely seperate so thats another issue if the oil is contaminated, usuually a trim cylinder leaking past the ram seal if Volvo, or it could be a hose.
The steering if its a VP 290 drive or a Mercruiser have a servo cylinder on the starboard transom which the cable passes through, you could take out the pin anchoring the cable to the steering arm and then see if it is the same in which it is the steering cable. If its easier then you are not getting enough servo assistance which could be the shuttle valve on the servo cylinder not working correctly in one particular direction. You need somone to twirl the wheel with the engine running while you look at the body of the servo cylinder, the bit where the cable connects with a big nut should float from side to side when rocking the wheel from side to side, which in turn opens a valve for the hydraulic pressure to act on the cylinder.
Check the cable end nut is tight at the cylinder as if there is any slack here there will be lost movement on the shuttle valve.
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for the info, the engines are volvo KAD 42,s 230 hp it is a VP 290 DP drive , I will need to get someone to give me a hand then , same problem when I was trying t o look for slack on the rack and pinion on the steering column ! Thanks again
 
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