Hello!

As some of you may know, I'm an adult leader on a Sea Scout crew, running a 40' launch that used to be the admiral's gig on the U.S.S. Midway (yes, the boat pictured in my avatar; go here for more details). There's a problem with the steering on the boat.

It appears that the helm turns a small hydraulic pump that pumps some sort of hydraulic fluid through one of two copper lines (depending on the direction the helm's turned) that are in turn connected to a hydraulic ram that moves the rudder. I think the fluid resevoir's coupled together with the pump up at the helm, and I think the cap just forward of the helm itself is a fill point. It's not a hydraulic assist steering system; there appears to be no physical connection between the helm and the rudder.

As it sits, the helm has to be turned over a full turn (I think closer to two turns; this is a relatively new development; originally, the rudder responded almost immediately upon turning the helm) before the rudder begins to turn, and I'm guessing that the system's low on fluid. Pulling the cap didn't readily reveal a dipstick or any other form of measuring the level of fluid in the system, so I'm unsure of how you're supposed to tell how much fluid is in there. Does the fluid need to be filled up to the brim? Or am I completely barking up the wrong tree? Other than the helm assembly, I don't see anything that remotely resembles a resevoir anywhere in the system. Also, what fluid should I be using?

BTW, I couldn't find a model number, but it's a Morse Controls unit.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance!

You may want to try going to Sailnet and looking thru their list of listserves. You may find one with members experienced in repairing these systems.
I crewed on a large brigantine on Lake Ontario a few years ago. It had a similar system with similar symptoms. It was a ***** to handle with having to spin the wheel (5' in diameter) many turns in order to get the rudder to respond. The captain told me that they were going to put the boat in drydock and have the whole system replaced.

I'm guessing that ATF would work in there. I'd try adding some a small amount at a time until the response time improved.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13