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SUBJECT: # 9642: Can Seastar hydraulic steering leak be fixed easily?

Submitted by David (205.188.196.43) from GEORGIA on 4/13/99 10:03:00 PM

The leak is at the helm. The manual did not give any direction to trouble shooting. The unit is 10 years old and works fairly well but loses fluid steadily. Do the seal replacement kits take care of most of these problems and are they difficult to install. Thanks to anyone able to share a little experience with this problem./David

1. 4/14/99 9:45:00 AM Thom (208.1.148.186) from WEST VIRGINIA says They Tell Me
   David,

   Your's isn't an uncommon problem and though I haven't done the front seal there have been a number of posts here from folks that have done it and apparently it is a couple of minute job that is easily done by most anyone. The seal that you will need is available from Teleflex at low cost and the job apparently takes only a couple of minutes. I have had to replace the rear seals, back at the engine and it is a job that can be done by someone with no experience at it and though messy it takes maybe an hour. At any rate if I were you I'd contact Teleflex and get the seal kit you need and have at it - all reports have it that you won't have any problems, actually I think that some folks have found an "O" ring available from local hardware stores that solves the problem for less than a buck but you'll have to hear from one of them to find out more about that.

   Thom

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2. 4/14/99 12:18:00 PM Jack R. (12.14.108.65) from TEXAS says helm repair
   Front seal is very easy to replace. Remove the wheel, undo three screws, remove old seal, replace with new seal, replace in reverse. Haven't done the rear helm unit seals but have heard it is very easy, but requires a special tool that comes with the repair kit. THE UNIT WILL HAVE TO BE TOPPED OFF WITH FLUID AND BE BLEED. JUST FOLLOW THE OWNERS MANUAL. Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions.

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3. 4/14/99 1:54:00 PM Dan (198.204.105.35) from LOUISIANA says Helm Repair - Parts Kit
   Simple 10 minute job. Teleflex part # is [HS-5176 Seal Kit]. Paid $35.56 (any boat dealer should have/can order) for the whole kit to rebuild the entire system. In my case I only needed the O-Ring around the helm - but - of course you had to buy the whole kit. Some prevoius posts have said they went to the local hardware store and bought a $1 o-ring? I opted for the OEM part (hopefully no more hassle). Good luck.

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4. 4/14/99 6:14:00 PM Vince (152.163.201.201) from NEW JERSEY says "O" RIng at Local Hardware Store
   I fixed mine with the "O" ring from ACE Hardware. i don't remeber the size but what i did was bring the old one in and bought the three closest sizes i could find. i put the first one of the three i bought in two years ago and it has been leak free since. i don't even know if the other 2 sizes would have worked or not!

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5. 4/15/99 3:44:00 AM TopCat (207.179.5.8) from UTAH says Easy and Then Maybe Not.
   David,

   I'm not sure when Teleflex changed the helm pump to the servicable kind. You probably have it. You can tell if it has two screws on the side of the steering shaft. Then all that was asid above is correct.

   If you do have the onlder non servicable unit then you will need to replace the helm pump. That will take you additional time, Ok a bunch more time. and mess, and tools as the new style helms are somewhat different thatn the older units.

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