Hydraulic Steering
Steering
Section 8B - Hydraulic Steering
Table of Contents
Hydraulic Steering Specifications....................8B-2
Steering Cylinder Components........................8B-4
Hydraulic Steering Systems.............................8B-6
Single Helm ‑ Single Cylinder...................8B-6
Dual Helm ‑ Single Cylinder......................8B-7
Single Helm ‑ Dual Cylinder......................8B-8
Dual Helm ‑ Dual Cylinder........................8B-9
Steering Cylinder...........................................8B-10
Hydraulic Steering System.....................8B-10
Connection of the Hydraulic Hoses to the
Steering Helm.........................................8B-10
90-8897928700 JULY 2005
Connection of the Hydraulic Hoses to the
Steering Cylinder....................................8B-11
Power Filling and Purging the Hydraulic
Steering System.....................................8B-11
Manually Filling and Purging the Hydraulic
Type Steering System............................8B-11
Steering Cylinder Removal............................8B-14
Steering Cylinder Installation.........................8B-15
8
B
Page 8B-1
Hydraulic Steering

Hydraulic Steering Specifications

Power Steering Specifications
Fluid Type SAE 0W‑30 synthetic power steering fluid
Steering Ratio (28 cc helm and single steering cylinder, lock to
4.3 turns
lock) ‑ preferred configuration
Steering Ratio (33 cc helm and single steering cylinder, lock to
3.7 turns
lock)
Steering Ratio (39 cc helm and single steering cylinder, lock to
3.1 turns
lock)
Steering Ratio (28 cc helm with dual steering cylinders, lock to
8.6 turns
lock)
Steering Ratio (33 cc helm with dual steering cylinders, lock to
7.3 turns
lock)
Steering Ratio (39 cc helm with dual steering cylinders, lock to
6.2 turns
lock) ‑ preferred configuration

Lubricant, Sealant, Adhesives

Tube Ref No. Description Where Used Part No.
95 2-4-C with Teflon Steering cylinder tie rod surface 92-802859A1

Loctite Moly Paste (Molybdenum Disulfide

113 Steering cylinder tie rod threads Obtain Locally
Grease)

Special Tools
Steering Helm Fill Adapter 64‑826525A 1

Connects between the fluid bottle and helm to aid in filling the
hydraulic steering helm.
15509

Page 8B-2 90-8897928700 JULY 2005

 Hydraulic Steering

Notes:

90-8897928700 JULY 2005 Page 8B-3

Hydraulic Steering

Steering Cylinder Components

12

11

10
8

9
8

7
2

3 1
5
6
4

14030

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 Hydraulic Steering

Steering Cylinder Components

Torque
Ref. No. Qty. Description Nm lb. in. lb. ft.
1 1 Steering actuator assembly
2 1 Tie rod assembly
3 1 Plate ‑ Lifting eye
4 1 Washer
5 1 Nut 88 65
6 1 Nut (0.375‑24) 27 20
7 1 Collar
8 2 Washer
9 1 Set screw 9 80
10 1 Spacer
11 1 Steering link assembly
12 2 Screw (0.375‑24 x 1.375) 54.2 40

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Hydraulic Steering

Hydraulic Steering Systems

Single Helm ‑ Single Cylinder

a c

e
d

g f
h
a - Helm
b - Hose to starboard side of steering
cylinder
c - Bulkhead fitting (2)
d - Steering cylinder
15994
e - Hose to port side of steering cylinder
f - Helm to starboard side of steering
cylinder
g - Helm to port side of steering cylinder
h - Plug

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 Hydraulic Steering

Dual Helm ‑ Single Cylinder

c

b
d

a e

g
f
n i
a c

m k j h
l n 15997

a- Main helm i - Second helm to main helm station

b- Main helm to second helm hose j - Helm to port side of steering cylinder
c- Second helm k - Helm to starboard side of steering
d- Hose to starboard side of steering cylinder
cylinder l - Main helm to second helm
e- Bulkhead fitting (2) m -Helm to port side of steering cylinder
f- Steering cylinder n - Plug
g- Hose to port side of steering o - Swivel tee fitting (2)
cylinder
h- Helm to starboard side of steering
cylinder

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Hydraulic Steering

Single Helm ‑ Dual Cylinder

b
d

a
c
e b f

c
g
i h 15998

j
a - Helm f - Starboard steering cylinder
b - Hose to starboard side of steering g - Port steering cylinder
cylinder h - Helm to starboard side of steering
c - Hose to port side of steering cylinder
cylinder i - Helm to port side of steering cylinder
d - Bulkhead fitting (2) j - Plug
e - Swivel tee fitting

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 Hydraulic Steering

Dual Helm ‑ Dual Cylinder

c

e
f d
h
g

a e
i
o p
a c

n m l j
p k 15999

a- Main helm i - Port steering cylinder

b- Main helm to second helm hose j - Second helm to starboard side of
c- Second helm steering cylinder
d- Hose to starboard side of steering k - Second helm to main helm
cylinder l - Second helm to port side of steering
e- Hose to port side of steering cylinder
cylinder m -Main helm to starboard side of
f- Swivel tee fitting steering cylinder
g- Bulkhead fitting (2) n - Main helm to port side of steering
h- Starboard steering cylinder cylinder
o - Main helm to second helm
p - Plug

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Hydraulic Steering

Steering Cylinder
Hydraulic Steering System

b
P PORT
S STBD

15243

a - Steering helm b - Steering cylinder on outboard

Connection of the Hydraulic Hoses to the Steering Helm

1. Make the hose connections to the steering helm as shown.

d e

a b
c
P PORT
S STAR

15244

a - Hydraulic hose hex fitting wrench size (R STAR & L PORT) ‑

18 mm (11/16 in.)
b - Starboard fitting
c - Port fitting
d - S helm fitting
e - P helm fitting

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 Hydraulic Steering

Helm Fitting ID Mark Hose ID Mark Steering Cylinder Connection

S R‑STAR Connects to port fitting
P L‑PORT Connects to starboard fitting

Connection of the Hydraulic Hoses to the Steering Cylinder

1. Route the hydraulic hoses to the outboard steering cylinder. Bulkhead fittings are
available if an opening does not exist in the engine well.

b
15249
a
a - Bulkhead fitting ‑ bulkhead thickness up to 1.9 cm (0.75 in.) (22‑892517)
b - Bulkhead fitting ‑ bulkhead thickness up to 7.62 cm (3 in.) (22‑892518)

NOTE: The 90° hose fittings are available and can be threaded onto the hose fittings if
straight hose routing is desired.
2. Position hose fittings to the desired direction. Loosen fastening nuts in order to rotate.
Position fittings and re‑tighten fastening nuts.
3. Ensure O‑ring seals are in place on end of each fitting.
4. Make the hose connections to the steering cylinder as shown.

a b

15252

a - Starboard fitting ‑ Hose marked b - Port fitting ‑ Hose marked R‑STAR

L‑PORT

Power Filling and Purging the Hydraulic Steering System

When using the SeaStar Power Purge® tool to fill and purge the hydraulic steering system,
refer to the filling and purging instructions provided with the Power Purge tool.
Manually Filling and Purging the Hydraulic Type Steering System
Dual outboard installations ‑ perform the following steps at the same time for both outboard
steering cylinders.

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Hydraulic Steering

NOTE: Due to the system design, one technician may not be able to completely fill and
purge all the air from the system. This will result in spongy and unresponsive steering. Two
technicians are required for successful filling and purging of the system.
Use Hydraulic Helm Steering Fluid in the hydraulic steering system.
Fluid Type Capacity Mercury Part Number
1 ‑ 2 liters (1 ‑ 2 quarts) depending on length of steering
Hydraulic Helm Steering Fluid 92‑862014Q01
hoses

STEP 1
NOTE: Start the filling of the system at the steering helm. On dual steering systems, always
start at the lower steering helm.
1. Remove the fill plug from the steering helm. Thread the fill tube from (bottle filler kit)
into the fill hole.

Steering Helm Fill Adapter 64‑826525A 1

2. Attach the fill tube (from steering helm) to a new bottle of steering fluid.
3. Turn the bottle upside‑down and vent the bottle by poking a hole into the bottom. Fill
the steering helm until no air/bubbles are visible in the fill tube.
NOTE: Keep the fill tube full of fluid between the bottle of fluid and steering helm during
the entire filling procedure. Replace the empty bottle while the fill tube is still full. If the
system sucks in air, it will have to be bled again.
b
a

15273
a - Fill plug c - Fill tube
b - Bottle of fluid

STEP 2
1. Attach a transparent bleed hose to the port bleed fitting. Route the other end of the
bleed hose into a container to avoid spillage.
2. Open the port bleed fitting.
3. Manually push the steering cylinder to the right/starboard side until it stops.
4. Slowly turn the steering wheel to the starboard side pushing air through the port bleed
fitting.

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 Hydraulic Steering

5. Once a steady stream of fluid is visible without air/bubbles, close the bleed fitting.

b 15199

a - Port bleed fitting b - Steering cylinder

STEP 3
1. Attach a transparent bleed hose to the starboard bleed fitting. Route the other end of
the bleed hose into a container to avoid spillage.
2. Open the starboard bleed fitting.
3. Slowly turn the steering wheel to the starboard side until it stops. The steering cylinder
will travel to the port side while pushing air through the starboard bleed fitting.

15214
a - Starboard bleed fitting

4. Change direction of the steering wheel. Slowly turn the steering wheel to the port side
pushing air through the starboard bleed fitting.
5. Once a steady stream of fluid is visible without air/bubbles, close the bleed fitting.

15216
a - Starboard bleed fitting

6. The filling and purging is complete. Remove the fill tube from the steering helm and
reinstall the fill plug.
Any small amount of air that could be trapped in the system may migrate through the vented
fill plug in the steering helm as the system is operated.

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Hydraulic Steering

Steering Cylinder Removal

1. Remove the steering link from the steering arm by removing the locknut and bolt.

a
b

e
15897

a - Bolt d - Steering arm

b - Washer e - Locknut
c - Link components

2. Remove locknut from the starboard side of the tie rod assembly.
3. Remove the washer and lifting eye plate.

b
c
a

d
15913

a - Collar c - Washer (not visible)

b - Set screw d - Locknut

4. Remove the tie rod assembly, washer, and spacer from the steering cylinder/swivel
bracket.
5. Remove the steering cylinder and two washers from the swivel bracket.

Page 8B-14 90-8897928700 JULY 2005

 Hydraulic Steering

6. Remove the collar from the tilt tube by loosening the set screw and unthreading the
collar.

b c d e f g
a

12758

a- Washer e- Tie rod

b- Collar f- Lifting eye
c- Washer g- Locknut
d- Spacer h- Steering cylinder assembly

Steering Cylinder Installation

1. Thread the collar on the starboard side of the tilt tube. Do not tighten the set screw at
this time.

b
c d 15680

a - Set screw c - Starboard side tilt tube locknut

b - Collar d - Starboard transom bracket

2. Apply 2‑4‑C with Teflon to the entire tie rod surface.

3. Partially insert the tie rod assembly (tie rod, lifting eye, washer, and locknut) into the
steering cylinder bracket.
4. Assemble the spacer and a washer on the tie rod assembly.

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Hydraulic Steering

5. Insert tie rod completely through the steering cylinder and tilt tube.

b c d e f g
a

12758

a- Washer e- Tie rod

b- Collar f- Lifting eye
c- Washer g- Locknut and washer
d- Spacer h- Steering cylinder assembly

Tube Ref No. Description Where Used Part No.

95 2-4-C with Teflon Steering cylinder tie rod surface 92-802859A1

6. Ensure that the lifting eye is positioned in the undercut on the steering cylinder bracket.

a b

15895

a - Undercut in steering cylinder b - Lifting eye

bracket

7. Apply Loctite Moly Paste to the tie rod threads.

Tube Ref No. Description Where Used Part No.

Loctite Moly Paste
113 Steering cylinder tie rod threads Obtain Locally
(Molybdenum Disulfide Grease)

8. Install a washer, lifting eye, and locknut to the tie rod end. Do not tighten the locknut at
this time.
9. Inspect link assembly components for wear. Replace if necessary.

Page 8B-16 90-8897928700 JULY 2005

 Hydraulic Steering

10. Assemble the link assembly components.

a d
c
b
b

b
b
c
d
15875

Link Assembly
a - Link c - Bushing
b - Bushing d - Bushing

11. Install the link on the steering cylinder plate to the steering arm on the outboard.
a. Install a washer and bolt in link
b. Thread the bolt into the steering arm
c. Tighten the bolt to specified torque
d. Install a locknut on the bolt
e. Tighten the locknut to specified torque

a
b

e
15897

a - Steering link to steering arm bolt d - Steering arm

b - Washer e - Steering link locknut
c - Link components

Description Nm lb. in. lb. ft.

Steering link to steering arm bolt 54.2 40
Steering link locknut 27 20

12. Tighten the locknut on the starboard side of the tie bar to specified torque.
13. Thread the collar against the washer (outward) and steering cylinder bracket. Tighten
finger tight.

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Hydraulic Steering

14. Tighten the set screw to specified torque.

b
c
a

d
15899

a - Collar c - Washer (not visible)

b - Set screw d - Locknut and washer

Tube Ref No. Description Where Used Part No.

Loctite Moly Paste
113 Steering cylinder tie rod threads Obtain Locally
(Molybdenum Disulfide Grease)

Description Nm lb. in. lb. ft.

Steering cylinder tie bar locknuts 88 65
Steering cylinder collar set screw 9 80

IMPORTANT: If the steering hoses were disconnected from the steering cylinder, the
hydraulic steering system must be bled. Refer to Filling Power Steering System.

Page 8B-18 90-8897928700 JULY 2005