Bleeding Teleflex steering

[Sleeto]

I have to replace a seal on my Teleflex HC 5345 hydraulic cylinder. Does anyone know the bleeding procedure?

Thanks!

[peterb]

Paul,

I think that if you go the Teleflex website web page , you will find an online installation manual that will explain what needs to be done.

Peter

[jfm]

Paul, I just performed that task myself and it takes 2 people. Is the boat in the water or on a trailer. If the latter, it is easier if you tie off the lower unit to the trailer, lst starboard and then port, when asked to turn your wheel clockwise and the counter-clockwise. Have someone turn the wheel while you work the bleeder valves.

[NoBones]

You can make it a one man operation.
I made a tube out of 2" PVC about 12" long with a barb fitting in the end cap to accept the 3/8" (I believe the size is) tubing that you can get at any hardware store by the foot. Get enough tube to run from the ram unit on the engine to make it back to the console. Make a hanger for the PVC pipe reservoir. I installed another 3/8" barb at the top of the reservoir. The bottom barb connects to the helm pump plug fitting. The long hose you bought goes from either side of the ram back to the top barb fitting.
Now you have a complete loop in the hydraulic system.
Hang your PVC reservoir above the helm. (T-top works great if you have one) Now fill the PVC with Seastar fluid and open the starboard fitting on the ram, turn the wheel to the left. Until no bubbles come out of the ram. close fitting. Open port fitting and turn wheel to the right until no bubbles come out and close fitting. Watch your PVC not to run out of fluid. This makes a great one man deal. You may have do this several times until all air is out of the system. You should be able to see fluid with no air in the complete loop. Switching from left to right. You will notice that the old fluid that comes out will be darker in color then the new. You can leave the top recycle tube off of your reservoir until all the old stuff is out. Then reconnect the tube to recycle only new fluid. Get about 3 quarts to do it right.
If I get a chance tomorrow I will take a picture of my invention and post it. It is in my warehouse 30 miles up the road.
See ya, Ken

[Miles Offshore]

I use a method that to me works better than the bleeder valves. I unscrew the fill cap and put the nylon adaptor with a piece of a quart of fliud in it and get someone to hold it upside down. Turn the steering wheel back and forth for a few minutes and after a little while all the air comes back up through and out the fluid in the bottle. A friend showed me this method last summer and believe me , it is a hell of a lot easier than messing with the bleeder valves. After the air is all out just remov3e the fitting and replace the fill cap. it will be full and you might have to remove just a tad. Just another way- craig