SeaStar Cylinder -Leaks-

[SeaStar Steering]

If you have a leaking steering cylinder, you have a few options;

- purchase a seal kit from your favorite marine parts dealer (see link below for complete list of seal kits available) NOTE: BEFORE you purchase anything, complete a good visible inspection of the steering cylinder shaft. If yours is damaged, then the seal kit won't work, so, don't spend money on the seal kit, either order a new cylinder, or, contact one of our repair facilities (see web for a list of repair centers)

- If your boat is within our warranty period, contact your selling dealer (or us). Both your dealer and us will be able to assist you with the correction to the leak

There are several reasons why leaks happen, below is a list of the top reasons that I have seen lead to leaks, and I have been here awhile so I have seen a lot

* Damaged cylinder shaft (lots going on in the back of the boat, take care not to damage the cylinder shaft)

* Support rod NOT greased fully. This just causes more stress on seals. The support rod (the one that passes through your engine steering/tilt tube) should be removed, the tube cleaned, then re-greased. We recommend that salt water users do this at least twice a year, fresh water users should do it at least once a year (suggest that you do it when the boat is hibernating for the winter)

* incorrect fluid being used in the system (ONLY use SeaStar, or, any fluid that meets MIL SPEC H5606C (or greater, D, E...etc..), there is a reason for it -see next thread title SeaStar OIL-

* stray current corrosion. This is the major one. If you have stray current, our cylinders are the victims, not the cause. We offer a grounding strap, part # HA5477 that can be easily installed on our outboard cylinders. NOTE: This strap just protects our cylinders...

[Tstone]

I have fluid leaking around the steering shaft. It looks like the seal is held in place by three screws. My question is, if I remove the screws does that give me access to an o-ring that is easily replaceable?

[ScarabChris]

You're going to be busy here for a while.

[jeremyj]

Why can't I buy parts, other than the seals, from SeaStar? I had to replace a complete cylinder assembly last year, when only the inner cylinder wall was damaged. The system had sat (previous owner used the boat very little) for a while and had some saltwater intrusion that corroded the cylinder where the water settled. Everything else on the system was fine, yet the SeaStar authorized repair center said it was too expensive to just replace the sleeve. This boat is a catamaran, so there are two cylinders on it. Replacement cost is going to be about $1,000 with shipping.

I attached some pics for reference:




keep in mind, this is before I cleaned it.

This is the material that was in the cylinder:

[grin]

* incorrect fluid being used in the system (ONLY use SeaStar, there is a reason for it -see next thread title SeaStar OIL-


I couldn't find this thread. I have used tranny fluid in my Seastar for years and had virtually no issues that I would attribute to the fluid type. Present system is a year 2000 boat with around 2500 hours on the steering. I did have to replace one of my two cylinder seals back by the engines. That was defiantly due to the steering shaft being never cleaned and full of salt/ grease. The fluid was filled with tranny fluid back in 2001 when the motors came off. I just refilled w/ tranny fluid a few months ago when a autopilot was installed. The old tranny fluid looked like the day I poured it in there. It's hard for me to beleive that statment. Previous boat same thing, sold with around 3000 hours on the sterring system and only one cylinder replacement certianly due to the crud in the sterring tube as I never clean them ever (I should I know!).

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by Tstone

I have fluid leaking around the steering shaft. It looks like the seal is held in place by three screws. My question is, if I remove the screws does that give me access to an o-ring that is easily replaceable?

If you are referring to your helm pump (at the steering wheel), then yes, this is the area.

If you have an inboard cylinder (brass), then this is also the area that will give you access to the shaft seal

thanks
Marc

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by grin

* incorrect fluid being used in the system (ONLY use SeaStar, there is a reason for it -see next thread title SeaStar OIL-


I couldn't find this thread. I have used tranny fluid in my Seastar for years and had virtually no issues that I would attribute to the fluid type. Present system is a year 2000 boat with around 2500 hours on the steering. I did have to replace one of my two cylinder seals back by the engines. That was defiantly due to the steering shaft being never cleaned and full of salt/ grease. The fluid was filled with tranny fluid back in 2001 when the motors came off. I just refilled w/ tranny fluid a few months ago when a autopilot was installed. The old tranny fluid looked like the day I poured it in there. It's hard for me to beleive that statment. Previous boat same thing, sold with around 3000 hours on the sterring system and only one cylinder replacement certianly due to the crud in the sterring tube as I never clean them ever (I should I know!).

I will agree with you that you have no problems and use ATF, I have even used it myself. The chances of ATF having debris in the system although rare, can happen. It seems in your case you have no debris. Up here in Canada, when it gets cold, you really feel the added effort with the ATF (some customers don't care, whereas some do)

thanks
marc

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by jeremyj

Why can't I buy parts, other than the seals, from SeaStar? I had to replace a complete cylinder assembly last year, when only the inner cylinder wall was damaged. The system had sat (previous owner used the boat very little) for a while and had some saltwater intrusion that corroded the cylinder where the water settled. Everything else on the system was fine, yet the SeaStar authorized repair center said it was too expensive to just replace the sleeve. This boat is a catamaran, so there are two cylinders on it. Replacement cost is going to be about $1,000 with shipping.

I attached some pics for reference:




keep in mind, this is before I cleaned it.

This is the material that was in the cylinder:

Thanks for the photos, I can understand your frustration. Teleflex used to allow the sale of internal parts to our systems, however. Not all users are able to complete some of these tasks correctly, thus, putting themselves and others around them in danger (I always say that your steering wheel is your only brake on the boat, its the only thing to get you out of danger). Since we cannot control who does this sort of repair, and we care for the safety of everyone on the water, Teleflex decided that we just cannot sell parts that may put people in danger. We do have several repair facilities, this outfits can buy these internal parts from us as they have been trained and have the proper tools and test stands to ensure that the repair holds. Thanks
m

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by ScarabChris

You're going to be busy here for a while.

for sure, but its okay.... I am here at my desk all day long, might as well try and reach out to all while I am here

Cheers
Marc

[jethro1]

Originally Posted by SeaStar Steering

* incorrect fluid being used in the system (ONLY use SeaStar, there is a reason for it -see next thread title SeaStar OIL-

I note that you did not specify MIL 5606 which your manuals say is an acceptable alternative. Have Seastar changed their position?

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by jethro1

I note that you did not specify MIL 5606 which your manuals say is an acceptable alternative. Have Seastar changed their position?

my bad.... I should have added that. YES, any fluid meeting H5606C (or greater, D, E...etc..) can also be used

sorry about that

[jeremyj]

Originally Posted by SeaStar Steering

Thanks for the photos, I can understand your frustration. Teleflex used to allow the sale of internal parts to our systems, however. Not all users are able to complete some of these tasks correctly, thus, putting themselves and others around them in danger (I always say that your steering wheel is your only brake on the boat, its the only thing to get you out of danger). Since we cannot control who does this sort of repair, and we care for the safety of everyone on the water, Teleflex decided that we just cannot sell parts that may put people in danger. We do have several repair facilities, this outfits can buy these internal parts from us as they have been trained and have the proper tools and test stands to ensure that the repair holds. Thanks
m

The repair facility told me they cannot replace the sleeve because it would not be cost effective. So, to clarify, the authorized service location could have replaced just the sleeve? I think I know the answer already, but I am going to ask anyway...how much is the HC5345 sleeve/cylinder housing?

I don't understand why it is "safe" for the end-user to replace thier seals, but it is too dangerous to remove the shaft (after the seals have been removed) so you can replace the cylinder housing (sleeve)?

As Chris said...you are going to be busy here.

[jethro1]

Can you imagine how many calls Teleflex is probably taking from inept users who cannot even do a straight forward seal replacement? Quite frankly I am surprised that they are selling replacement parts, of any kind, to any consumer, given the liability that they can incur if and when something goes wrong with a Seastar unit.

It is a no win situation for them. If they don't sell replacement parts they get blasted for not supporting their stuff. Then, if and when a repair goes badly they are at risk of getting blasted again.

Don't get me wrong. Some people have the skills to replace a seal or bleed a system. There are others however that cannot tell which end of the bottle of fluid to open. How is Seastar to know the difference between the two?

How many times must questions be asked here on THT about bleeding the system? About as straight forward job as there is yet some (many??) don't quite seem to understand the principle or the manual.

[navyaircrew]

i gotta replace my HC5343 on my 2670 Glacier Bay... starting to leak in the shaft of the cylinder.. my autopilot just runs it outta fluid going back and forth so much... since it's a nightmare to take the cylinder out anyway, scrapping all the old paint off, installing new seals.. i didn't think would cut it.. time is money and i need to find a solid place to purchase a new one.. then i can clean up the old one and rebuild it for future spare if need be.... any ideas? HC5343 doesn't seem like a commonly used cylinder... any other cross ref numbers?

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by navyaircrew

i gotta replace my HC5343 on my 2670 Glacier Bay... starting to leak in the shaft of the cylinder.. my autopilot just runs it outta fluid going back and forth so much... since it's a nightmare to take the cylinder out anyway, scrapping all the old paint off, installing new seals.. i didn't think would cut it.. time is money and i need to find a solid place to purchase a new one.. then i can clean up the old one and rebuild it for future spare if need be.... any ideas? HC5343 doesn't seem like a commonly used cylinder... any other cross ref numbers?

Hey there. The HC5343 is what Glacier Bay adds to all of their hulls. You will be able to order this replacement cylinder through your favorite marine parts dealer, I will note that this is likely going to be a special order as it is not that common of a cylinder

thanks
Marc

[gpenick]

Can you tell me if there are any repair centers in Va. I can't seem to find them on the web. Thanks.

[SeaStar Steering]

Originally Posted by gpenick

Can you tell me if there are any repair centers in Va. I can't seem to find them on the web. Thanks.

I don't know of anyone in particular myself, however. Do you know what model you have? Some of these are really easy to repair and you may be able to do this on your own

thanks
marc

[ColeS]

JeremyJ,

Did you ever get an answer? My cylinders have the exact problem as yours--the barrel corrodes inernally, but the rod, seals, etc. all are fine. No hydraulic fluid leaks out, but salt water somehow gets in.

I have been corresponding with Ken Little at Teleflex, but I don't think I have yet quite been able to communicate the nature of the problem to him. I e-mailed pictures like yours to him last week, but he's out of the office and I haven't heard back.

I have had to replace the entire cylinder about every two years, and I need to find a better way.

ColeS

[jeremyj]

Cole,

If the cylinder is corroded, they will not repair it. I had to buy a new assembly (actually found used one for $200).

Since this issue, I have been purging my system every year and inspecting the cylinders. So far, no new problems.

Every 2 years is alot. I don't know what the stray current damage looks like, but you may want to look into it.

Good luck.

[seabob4]

Just so all are aware, you need not use Teleflex Seastar oil, but I only use an oil recommended by Teleflex that meets MIL-H-5606. I get mine at Brooksville airport (about 15 minutes away), Conoco/Phillips X/C Aviation Hydraulic Fluid...



2 quarts with tax, $20 even, went up a couple of bucks per quart the last year...