Hydraulic Steering Help on 06 Puma

This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 2 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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March 23, 2008 at 2:12 am #332211

TNcat
Participant

Ive searched the threads and cant find the answer to my question, so Id appreciate any help. After selling my previous 06 Puma, I picked up another one today. The boat looks like new. However, when I got it home, I noticed what seems to be a significant amount of “play” in the steering wheel as you move it from side to side. I have not run the boat, so I cant say for certain if its a problem yet, but my previous 06 Puma had issues with leaking seals and loss of fluid twice. Unfortunately, I dont have a dealer close by. Can anyone offer a suggestion? Ill check the fluid level some time tomorrow. After my scare in my other boat, Im a little gun shy. Thanks, Ben

March 23, 2008 at 3:32 am #332231

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Ben Ive been around hydraulic steering for a long time now and have never heard many problems with hydraulic steering. Its odd that you had two leaks on your previous boat. What do you refer to as significant play? If youre moving the wheel a good more than an inch or two either way you probably have air in your lines. If less, maybe 1/2″ or so either way, then thats normal. Some tightening can be done inside the steering column (under the rubber boot), but usually does little to help. However, you might be lucky should that be the problem. Lastly this has been discussed here and Bass Cat has replied so you might want to do a little deeper search. Good luck!

March 23, 2008 at 4:05 am #332251

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Check the fittings on the ram mounting to the enigine and see if the mounting rod that goes through the enigine hast loose nut on the drivers side. Also check for leaks at the fittings on front of the cylinder. They can leak either at the fitting or the hose connection. Hope this helps!

March 23, 2008 at 4:54 am #332271

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Ben after having mine (2006 P4) for about 6 months, i noticed the same thing, a little “slop” in the steering wheel about 1/2″ in either direction. Turns out the steering column itself was actually loose, take the wheel off and look inside the steering wheel colum, there is two bolts in there and they were backing themselves out, I tightened them down and reinstalled the wheel, no more problems since. This sounds like the same thing you are referring to.

March 23, 2008 at 6:56 am #332286

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Possibly so, though it usually is the other as the slop in the helm is very noticable and easily diagnosed. Also try turning the wheel hard and a few rounds on the furthest position locked. It should tighten the steering and reset the pump.

March 23, 2008 at 10:33 am #332300

Basstar
Participant

Ben, if after all of your checks, you feel you have air in the lines, AND if you are somewhat mechanically inclined, these units are fairly simple to bleed to remove any air.

March 23, 2008 at 12:31 pm #332320

Gary Hollander
Participant

From BCB Post, “Also try turning the wheel hard and a few rounds on the furthest position locked. It should tighten the steering and reset the pump. ” This works great; you will be amazed at how much improvement this simple technique will provide. I actually do it goings both ways; turn all the way to the left and “pump the wheel” 2-3 times. Then go all the way to the right and repeat. It may require that you add some hydraulic fluid–Ive done this thru the vent plug on the console. Then repeat the pumping gig. As mentioned, check/tighten all the bolts on the jackplate, engine mounting to jackplate and the steering snubbers. You can take slack out of the steering with the tensioner which will loosen with an Allen screw and also check the large nuts on either side of the steering mount. Gary Hollander

March 23, 2008 at 1:02 pm #332340

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys. Im going to look everything over thoroughly before taking it to the water. I may just be a bit over cautious, if thats possible; but I want to make sure Im being as safe as possible. Thanks, again.

March 23, 2008 at 6:45 pm #332355

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

You can not be overcautious with steering, refer to that previous line again, you can not be too cautious. BCB
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