steering pump cost

[luckydave215]

When we got to the boat yesterday I was greeted with the dreaded steering wheel pump drooling hydraulic fluid gift.
I was thinking about buying a new one, then rebuilding the existing one as a spare as we venture far offshore at times..
Does anyone have a clue as to the ballpark cost?

 

[Boatsb]

When we got to the boat yesterday I was greeted with the dreaded steering wheel pump drooling hydraulic fluid gift.
I was thinking about buying a new one, then rebuilding the existing one as a spare as we venture far offshore at times..
Does anyone have a clue as to the ballpark cost?

What model?

Is it a standard hynautic?

You have power steering too. That's not the one that's leaking is it?

 

[dsharp]

If it’s the Hynautic pump style it should be around 800 to 1000 dollars for a steering head.

 

[SEVEN]

Saw this on Craigslist in the San Francisco Area. Might be a deal.

 

[luckydave215]

The pump leaking is the aft (outside) flybridge helm.
I do not have power steering.

 

[Boatsb]

The pump leaking is the aft (outside) flybridge helm.
I do not have power steering.

I thought the 60 had power steering like the 65.

Theres no pump on the port engine to drive the steering?

What model hynautic pump is it?

 

[luckydave215]

Nope.
At low speeds the boat has armstrong steering, on plane it is fingertip light.
I have always assumed it is because the rudders main mass is cantilevered aft of the bearings making a lot of friction, when on plane there is enough prop blast to force them aft balancing out the cantilever force.
I have been through every part of the system except the actual steering pumps, when I had the rudders out to replace the rudder bearings I paid careful attention to getting everything accurately aligned and flushed out the automotive power steering fluid for the correct hydraulic fluid. But...the rudders weigh about 500lbs each, it takes a forklift to remove them....hence the cantilevered weight and associated friction.
Power steering sure would be nice to have. So would a shoe box full of twenties.
If I find one in my closet I'll let you know....

 

[luckydave215]

I don't yet know the pump model number, I'll get a chance to work on her Tuesday.

 

[rustybucket]

It's not a bad job to rebuild the pump yourself. You may be able to get a rebuild kit for it online. I did one in our old center console and will rebuilding our Hynautic pump on our 52 over the winter. It started seeping fluid through the steering spindle last trip out.

Just be sure you have a completely clean work area and lint-free rags to work with. You just open it up, clean and replace all the seals and re-assemble. re-bleeding the system is the worst part of the whole deal.

 

[luckydave215]

It's not a bad job to rebuild the pump yourself. You may be able to get a rebuild kit for it online. I did one in our old center console and will rebuilding our Hynautic pump on our 52 over the winter. It started seeping fluid through the steering spindle last trip out.

Just be sure you have a completely clean work area and lint-free rags to work with. You just open it up, clean and replace all the seals and re-assemble. re-bleeding the system is the worst part of the whole deal.

I'm capable of rebuilding the pump, and have a clean space (a laboratory actually) to work in.
I just want to have a spare on board ready to go.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I'm capable of rebuilding the pump, and have a clean space (a laboratory actually) to work in.
I just want to have a spare on board ready to go.

Your call, obviously. Given the reliability of these pumps (speaking of Hynautic), the difficulties replacing at sea, the likely ability to independently steer with auto pilot and the ability to steer with throttles, is this really practical? Not being critical, just asking. I had a steering failure from a blown hose two years ago. Once I got the rudders amidship using the pilot, I ran miles back on plane using very slight differential power adjustments.

 

[luckydave215]

Alas my AP isn't on a separate hydraulic circuit so centering the rudders would be a problem.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Alas my AP isn't on a separate hydraulic circuit so centering the rudders would be a problem.

Yes it would. A couple of shut-offs would keep the AP from causing a gusher. I know my system is so equipped.

 

[Scarlett]

Dave, I am sending you a PM. John

 

[Fanfare]

It's usually the exposed outside steering pump that fails first. That's because the shaft gets dirt and salt into its rubber seal, gradually grinding this away. The internal parts are lubricated, sealed and protected from sun and may well last for years to come. You could just replace this external seal, or get ahead of the game by rebuilding the whole thing. Of course then you have to worry about the lower helm pump, the autopilot, etc. In that case I would ship all off to a good hydraulic shop.

Read the directions on purging the system--100 turns each direction, each pump. A pain!

While all my pumps have been rebuilt, my er reservoir and my aft hydraulic ram have been untouched for 53 years. After the first loss of steering I added three shut-offs to each of my three pumps so I could isolate them if needed.

 

[Westfield 11]

One way to guarantee you will never have another pump failure is to keep a spare onboard.

 

[luckydave215]

One way to guarantee you will never have another pump failure is to keep a spare onboard.

The ONLY way LOL