Power steering oil

[mlthomas]

While lying in the squished in the back of the lazorette fixing the webasto exhaust I noticed some oil under the ram. It could have well been there since the boat was first commissioned, but I don’t know.
So is there a reservoir somewhere? Where should I look and what should I be looking for
Thanks
Mark

 

[omega2]

Not familiar with your steering system but most hydraulic steering has the reservoir at the helm position, with a filler plug behind the steering wheel pointing up looking at you. Remove this and pour fluid in until it is about overflow, replace and helm the wheel from lock to lock, this will bleed the system, hopefully, if not then the ram will have to be bled, look for nipples on ram, and bleed as you would bleed your car's braking system. If the helm feels "lumpy" then you have no fluid or very little, it should move smoothly and freely if it is correct.

 

[Eventide26]

Hoepfully you also know what type of Hydraulic oil is used. I've dealt with hydraulics all my working life and have founds some nasty little tricks that manufacturers do and use special oils, so that if you use a bog standard oil it then rots the seals and 'O'rings etc.
General ISO 56, and 68 oils are recognised as an industry standard. The 68 for more colder conditions.

 

[mlthomas]

Thanks guys, yes is a plug behind the wheels - sorry for the numpty question but do I have to check both or just the one on the flybridge?

 

[ADLS]

First check that all connections are tight on the ram and at both steering positions, have someone turn the wheel while you do the checking. then check the fly bridge casing first if the casing is empty check the lower one. Top it up if required and bleed the system through by turning the wheel lock to lock at least twice, then do the same for the fly bridge casing. Recheck all the joints and ram seal again with wheels being turned.

I find that using a small sqeezy bottle great for topping up, have some rag handy as well.

 

[Eventide26]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys, yes is a plug behind the wheels - sorry for the numpty question but do I have to check both or just the one on the flybridge?

[/ QUOTE ]

With bleeding any hydraulic system start at the highest physical point of the system, and work back from that. Some times takes a few attempts to get all the air out. Working the ramps quite hard usually pushes the air to highest point.