The Boating Forum - seastar steering problems

I have seastar steering and it stoped working. Steering wheel turns freely in one direction and nothing happens , when you try to turn in the other direction it won't move at all. Has anyone got any experience it this problem?

I had the same problem about a moth ago. I had the helm replaced and the problem is gone. I first had the system bled, but the problem kept coming back. I could have rebuilt the helm I had, but I chose to replace it. My Friend had the same problem on a brand new Parker and they ended up changing his helm.

My father had the same problem on his 05 Grady and seastar stepped up and did the right thing. I dont know what year your boat is but it might be warranteed

Yep - for some reason - there have been report after report after report about Sea Star helm pumps failing in the last two years or so. I had different symptoms but the same resolution on a brand new boat this year. The helm pump was replaced (after several bleed attempts and testing the engine steering pistons) and the system has been perfect every since. It's a great product and used on every single commercial boat I run without any problems but for some reason the last two years or so have been terrible. In my experience they have been very good about stepping up and replacing the pump though.

Thanks guys its a ten year system so it might be time. There was no warning one min. it worke next it didn't

Is the helm pump repairable or rebuildable?

Call technical support at Teleflex (Seastar). I left a message and the field rep called me within a few hours from his cell. I spoke to Mike Gray. 604-270-6899 OR 941-907-1000 X8259. Sorry don't have the toll free number. He's based out of Florida. You may have to wait for him to call you back.

Mike was VERY helpful for me . I had a seal / shaft problem and he stepped me through the repair and bleeding instructions.

thanks ski. were you experinceing the same symptoms

I have had the same problem. I have a 2 station boat with triples. the local mechanic in the keys claim it is the sea
star fluid which attracts moisture and rusts the ball bearings in the helm as well as the piston. They rebuild them
down here by disassembling and sanding the rust off with # 400 for 50 bucks and refill the system with ATF.
you can try wrapping a towell around your helm and persuading it with a hammer to break it free . That works for
me but it will get worse especially if your boat sits. It is a common problem down here on trap boats that sit during the off season.