hydraulic steering

The end cap came loose from the steering cylinder in front of the engine on mine and dumped ALL the oil out, while zoomin down the ohio river. but luck prevailed and i was able to stop and thats when I found the problem. No sterring at 65= high pucker factor!!!!Pete

We do not suggest you fill it, though rebuild the cylinder. The parts on the system are available. If the cylinder is dripping and gets air to the pistons, you will loose the ability to steer. Under power you could have a major issue. BCB

blackdc,Was wondering if you got your problem resolved. I havent had any difficulty with my steering yet, but noticed little side/side slack in the cylinder and cant see fluid level in reservoir. Want to get addressed before it becomes an issue. Nice sack at Wilson. Ill be there this weekend for club tournament and then for Mr. Bass later. got any tips?

Bassmiester51, Be careful. In November at a tournament the steering on my 98 Jag seemed to be getting stiff. This was while we were simply moving about waiting for take off. A few seconds after take off at 75mph lost the steering completely. Needless to say, after the tourney my Jag went straight to the dealer for service. It was a little low on fluid. Steering was great on the trailer but in the water at speed, God himself would have had trouble turning that rig. A few weeks later while fishing the intercostal down in Florida, went to put the boat on the trailer and faced a real nightmare trying to get the rig on the trailer in approx. a 4-6mph current. Wound up sitting on the trailer sideways (tore up my bunks) then got swept under pier. Come to find out the Helm on the hydraulic steering went totally bad. $1300 to replace the steering, $400 to replace the bunks and a miserable day on the water. So be cautious

You take the boat to the shop and get any leaks in the system fixed. After the leaks are fixed, the mech will bleed the system. Dont mess around with steering.