Slobby steering.

About Time

About Time

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Hi,

My installation is twin KAD 300 diesels with DP-G sterndrives. There is a belt driven servo on starboard engine. Single steering position - no flybridge.
I have a SIMRAD autopilot and it works great - never any issues... Keep the course perfect. When this is in operation the steering wheel turns freely as the autopilot changes course.

When the boat is NOT on autopilot and I turn the steering wheel it is very slobby ... goes 2-3 cm to each side before it gets firm and turn and then the resistance when you turn the steering wheel either left or right is not smooth at all. If I keep the course for a while and turn the steering wheel it can even slightly lock but if I pull a bit stronger it free itself up.

Since the autopilot is working perfect I assume it has to do with the steering cable(s) or the steering hub but not sure there is a cable. Looking up the Volvo DPG page there seem to be no steering cable .... I am a bit confused:
http://www.marinepartseurope.com/da/volvo-penta-spraengskitse-7744570-64-7309.aspx

Before I do any trouble shooting can someone guide me where to start looking. Your help is much appreciated.
 
I should add that the reservoir for steering oil is at max level and never changes - so I am not loosing oil.
Also I have tried bleeding the steering by moving the wheel from full left to full right several times without the engine running even I guess the system should be self bleeding.
 
:) well from Denmark - lets say vibrant instead of slobby .... sorry.
I really do not know about the helm pump ... if any - The pump I see is attached to the starboard engine (driven by a belt) and this is where the reservoir for the steering oil is as well. I guess there is no pump at the helm but could be wrong. I think it is a standard twin Volvo Penta KAD 300/ DPG stern drive with power steering installation. The boat is a Windy 37 from 2003 in case that can help spread some light :-)
 
Could be air locks inside your helm pump. On the Seastar system most of the air can be cleared by wheeling the helm one way whilst the auto helm is applying opposite helm, so select Auto then say 30 degree port, whilst wheeling to stbd. Do this in both directions and keep a close eye on the fluid level.
 
Thanks for the info.... however if I ask 30 degree starboard in auto mode my steering wheel will turn to this position...... how to turn the steering wheell to port at the same time it is turning to starboard by the auto pilot..... seem to me I will break something or do I misunderstand you ?
 
Whole thing is hydraulic in two parts
1- Autopilot has the reservoir in the E room near its pump - that's ok
2- the helm wheel will have it's own kinda reservoir in its Hub just behind the wheel .At the highest point there will be a small cap / bleed valve - top this up -it's this high end that's a bit low in power steering fluid .-hence the "gravelly " feel .

Both systems feed the ram attached to the inside of the transome behind the engines -that's ok cos it works with lower (autopilot) system .
 
As Portofino says, you need to bleed the helm - little knob directly on top of the steering hub. Easy to spill fluid when topping this up so wrap rag round it first.
 
About Time said:
Thanks for the info.... however if I ask 30 degree starboard in auto mode my steering wheel will turn to this position...... how to turn the steering wheell to port at the same time it is turning to starboard by the auto pilot..... seem to me I will break something or do I misunderstand you ?
Click to expand...
If you turn the wheel whilst in auto whatever way you turn the helm pump will react to hold the desired position, so wheeling allows the helm pump to purge itself through, and hopefully clear any air entrained in the process.
 
Is there a filler cap on the wheel helm assembly? You're previous diagrams don't show what operates the hydraulic system at the transom. You need to know for certain whether the power steering system is moved hydraulically or by cables. The power steering system is simply a method of providing light steering at the wheel. What actually moves the power steering is what you need to know.
 
Yeah .... First job is to find out if there is a filler cap at the helm station. If no filler cap the steering must be done by a cable and then I will NOT counter steer the autopilot as this will for sure only damage the thing :-) ... I also concluded from all the above inputs that if steering is done by a cable the issue must be either the cable or the hub itself as the autopilot seems to operate and keep the course without any fault at all.
 
Another thought. If the wheel turns every time the autopilot moves the steering then you have cable steering as hydraulic won't move the wheel. You either need a new cable or helm assembly or probably both. There may also be some adjustment but I don't think so.
By the way, when you say "slobby steering" I think you mean "sloppy" (just turn the B's upside down!):rolleyes:
 
PCUK said:
Another thought. If the wheel turns every time the autopilot moves the steering then you have cable steering as hydraulic won't move the wheel. You either need a new cable or helm assembly or probably both. There may also be some adjustment but I don't think so.
By the way, when you say "slobby steering" I think you mean "sloppy" (just turn the B's upside down!):rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yeah -Think it is cable steering. Will check during the weekend though..... And yes . Sloppy it is :-)
 
About Time said:
Yeah -Think it is cable steering. Will check during the weekend though..... And yes . Sloppy it is :-)
Click to expand...

I would be very surprised and happy to appear on Match of the Day in under pants if the helm was cable.
You have a PASpump on the S tb engine ,a ram on the transome.
So how and where do cables fit in to effect the ram ?

Your wheel hub is a valve it directs the hydraulic pressure - to the port or Stb end of the ram -
When the AP is on that circuit is bypassed and Ap pump via a reversing valve calls the shots .It gets it's instructions from the course computer .
Your helm wheel is redundant .turning it with AP on has no effect ,or shoudn,t
 
The power is assist and may be actuated by either cable or hydraulic

The thread has been confusing from the start as to which system is fitted
 
scottie said:
The power is assist and may be actuated by either cable or hydraulic

The thread has been confusing from the start as to which system is fitted
Click to expand...

Indeed. Perhaps the OP could post some photos after his next visit to his boat where upon advise may be
easier to give.
My own thoughts from the outset is that he has a problem with a lock-valve on his helm pump.
The symptoms he describes would indicate such.
 
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