What todo when hydraulic rudder pump breaks ?

[BartW]

The old steering system from the boat is completely hydraulic,
Hydraulic hoses go from the 2 steering wheels to the hydraulic pump in the engine room,
And from there, hydraulic hoses go to the rudder cylinders.
I never investigated this thoroughly..

Last Monday we discovered a squeaking noise from the electric motor that is driving the hydraulic pump,
but the motor is still running, and the pump is still working.
I assume a bearing from the electric motor is damaged from corrosion,
There are traces from water ingress on the electric motor,
water came in through the temporarely sealing of the deckfloor during the engine rebuilt.

within one week I want to do the sea trial with the rebuild engine,
But I’m not sure if I can have that bearing repaired in one week time,

I think that I can turn the wheel / move the rudders without running the hydraulic pump
But need to do more force and much more turning on the steering wheel,

Can someone tell me if I can do this, or can I damage something ?
Or is the weel unuseable without the hydraulic pump running?

I can switch "on" the pump, but am afraid that this will cause more damage on the squeaking electric motor.

thanks for advice !

 

[superheat6k]

Sounds like a bearing is failing, as you have suggested.

Depending on your system the pump might be providing power assistance or just be for auto pilot control. The former on a larger boat say above 45', the latter on something smaller.

Changing the bearing probably won't be such a big problem, and running the motor with the bearing failing could make it far worse as it could cause damage to the shaft and / or housing, especially if the bearing has already seized and the squealing noise you are hearing is the bearing already turning in its housing.

As an emergency a spray grease like a motor cycle chain grease might help get the bearing loose, but once they start to bind a fix like this is very much a temporary affair.

 

[jfm]

The old steering system from the boat is completely hydraulic,
Hydraulic hoses go from the 2 steering wheels to the hydraulic pump in the engine room,
And from there, hydraulic hoses go to the rudder cylinders.
I never investigated this thoroughly..

Last Monday we discovered a squeaking noise from the electric motor that is driving the hydraulic pump,
but the motor is still running, and the pump is still working.
I assume a bearing from the electric motor is damaged from corrosion,
There are traces from water ingress on the electric motor,
water came in through the temporarely sealing of the deckfloor during the engine rebuilt.

within one week I want to do the sea trial with the rebuild engine,
But I’m not sure if I can have that bearing repaired in one week time,

I think that I can turn the wheel / move the rudders without running the hydraulic pump
But need to do more force and much more turning on the steering wheel,

Can someone tell me if I can do this, or can I damage something ?
Or is the weel unuseable without the hydraulic pump running?

I can switch "on" the pump, but am afraid that this will cause more damage on the squeaking electric motor.

thanks for advice !

If you decide to leave the pump switched off, the steering will still work but will be very heavy. You won't harm anything by turning the steering wheel with the pump off (except your back/arm muscles!)

 

[AndieMac]

Just for the sea-trial, once the rudders are centred, mostly use the gear levers, as you would when close quarter manouvering, it's good practice anyway if you have a steering failure.
When up at full cruise the wheel will only need minimal turns, if only to make the process feel normal.

 

[MapisM]

I think that I can turn the wheel / move the rudders without running the hydraulic pump
But need to do more force and much more turning on the steering wheel,

Can someone tell me if I can do this, or can I damage something ?

I also don't think you could damage anything, B. And I also wouldn't use the pump, before repairing it.
But surely, if by trying the wheel with the boat stationary you found it hard, you can only expect it to be MUCH harder at speed, for hydrodynamic reasons.
Otoh, you only need a small rudder angle to steer at speed, but it's worth keeping in mind (also because I suppose you will want to test the engine at WOT) that it might be difficult to avoid a swimmer that you spot at the last second right in front of the boat...
I agree with AM that it won't be a problem while maneuvering, but you already know that.