Hydraulic Steering Repair

ScottM · #1 04-09-2006, 09:46 AM

On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult is it to repair a broken hydraulic hose? Last fall while winterizing the engine on my Seabird, I snapped one of the lines on the steering cylinder (don't ask ). It broke off right at the fitting. Can I just trim the hose back a little and re-connect it to the fitting (the fitting was not damaged at all)?

Ntrain2k · #2 04-09-2006, 11:18 AM

If you want to keep the same hose I would take it and the old fitting to a hydraulic repair shop and have them put a new fitting on it. There can be a lot of pressure in the system, and I would want to know it's done right before I took it out. It worries me that the old hose just snapped like that though...

Capt Chuck · #3 04-09-2006, 11:25 AM

Scott

IMO, No, replace the line.
It will eventually leak because of the pressure. I think they might be fixable if you had a flaring and compression tool kit

Water Rat · #4 04-09-2006, 11:58 AM

Scott:
First off, congratulations to you your wife (boy or girl?). Having installed the Hynautic system on my boat myself, and since then dealing with similar issues, I would suggest replacing the entire length of hose unless it is clear that the hose failed to due flex or improperly installed fitting right at the fitting itself. I think I still have a bunch of high pressure hose and reusable fittings, along with the tool, mandrel, etc. to install them. If they are compatable with your system I would be happy to get them out of my basement.
Chris

hermco · #5 04-09-2006, 01:43 PM

I would replace the hoses at this time. You can buy them pre made from Sea Star/Teleflex.If you just want to replace the fitting no special tool is required. Just get some new fittings they have a compression ring inside them. You cannot reuse them.

ScottM · #6 04-10-2006, 04:50 PM

Guys,
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of using those remote connectors that I believe Warthog5 was talking about recently. The clearance between my motor when tilted up and the splashwell is tight, so that might be contributiing to the failure of the hose. I figure with the remote connectors mounted in the splashwell, I can run more flexible lines from there to the cylinder. Any thoughts?

Chris - thanks. We had a girl on March 16. Maybe I'll take a look at your stuff first and then go from there. Do you know if Hynautic and SeaStar hoses/fittings are compatible?

Blue_Heron · #7 04-11-2006, 09:11 PM

Hi Scott,
Looks like SeaStar uses the hard plastic tubing for their hydraulics like Bennett does for their tabs. I would say Hermco's right about the fitting. The pic is a little blurry, but that looks like a standard ferule fitting like you would use to connect the supply tube on your kitchen sink to the wall stop (shutoff valve). If you choose to reuse the tubing, you'll have to trim the end square and get a new ferule, which you should be able to find at any well stocked hardware store. You can probably reuse the nut. The most important thing to know about ferule fittings is not to over tighten. It makes them leak.

If the tubing is brittle I would replace it. If it's relatively new and just broke because it got bent the wrong way, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Dave