Hydraulic Steering System Repairs

[billburr]

Originally Posted by SV__Grace

The "normal" way to bleed is to use the fill reservoir to watch for bubbles.

As you turn the wheel you are circulating the fluid and the air trapped in the fluid. Once the air reaches the highest point (the reservoir) the air will be expelled.

Oh! OK. Thanks SV Grace!

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by billburr

Thanks Grace. Unfortunately, my system has no bleed fittings. I only have a fill tube from the helm pump to a reservoir at the helm. Can this tube both fill and bubble put the air? Any other suggestions out there? Thanks

Bill, there should be bleed screws on the ram (unless you have a T-type).

I also have Wagner pumps...they are workhorses.

Also good call on removing as much copper tubing as possible and replacing with hose. This is exactly what I did. You will be happier in the long run and have less worries about leaks. Measure the run accurately and have the hoses professionally built. Plan for a good radius when bending the line along it's path and reduce the 90 degree couplings as much as possible. 3-t's should do it. (pump - ram - autopilot).

I've attached some information on Wagner pumps and also bleeding info for N-Type systems.

Oh...I had my pumps and ram rebuilt in Seattle at a place called Hamilton Jet, and was even able to purchase a spare rebuild kit.

Hope this helps.

[billburr]

Thanks, Discovery. My Ram has no bleed screws. This is a pretty old system. Probably 1978. Anyway, thanks for the Wagner info.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by billburr

Thanks, Discovery. My Ram has no bleed screws. This is a pretty old system. Probably 1978. Anyway, thanks for the Wagner info.

Ours is from 1975/76 and has bleeder screws.

What model Wagner ram do you have?

Typically after the helm pump, the tubing/hoses will drop down, then come back up to the ram, thus creating a secondary high point in the system. W/o the bleeder screws in the ram you will have a difficult time getting the trapped air out of the ram. Not saying it can't be done, just messy if you need to break the lines fitting every time to get the air out of the ram.
Ideally if your ram was at the low point, the air will come back to the helm pump and be expelled.

[billburr]

Hi Bill O,
Maybe my ram isn't a Wagner. I'm not sure of the model. Attached is a picture of the Ram.
It is mounted lower than the helm, but sections of the new hose may be lower. I guess I will just have to crack the hose at the Ram fitting or maybe install a bleeder fitting at the hose connection to the Ram.

[Bill O]

Bill,
No pic attached.

[billburr]

Oops! Here's the picture.
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...1&d=1593963827

[Grattaway]

Forklift repair shops do lots of hoses, lots of lengths and lots of different fittings -probably Crown in your country
And big ups for Hamilton Jet - if you have 4 inches of water you could get up a river -much fun to be had