R23 Steering Issues

[HudsonRanger15]

Greetings,
I recently traded in my R21 for the R32, I recall on the orientation day that the Hydraulic steering fluid was topped off. I am sure to check all the fluid levels and hoses prior to any boating. I trailered the 23 up to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. I noticed that the steering had a lot of play, I again checked the fluid level and the Hydraulic fluid was very low. I filled it to its appropriate levels and when I went out for a few hours and again the level was low. I checked all the hoses and found no leaks. Is there anything else I should be checking.

Juan

 

[knotflying]

Well, we can assume you had a dyslexic finger and your R-32 is actually a 23. 😀 As far as the fluid level goes, if you found no leaks it is very possible that there is some air in the lines and it is working its way out. The system should have been bled and that would have removed most of the air. Additionally with a lot of air the steering would have been sluggish. Were you experiencing sloppy steering?

 

[stwendl]

I found out that simple temperature changes can make a difference, from overflowing to uneven steering. Caused by air in the lines as previously pointed out. Any hydraulics have this issue if air is trapped. Without knowing the hydraulic reservoir on our steering, I have a feeling it should have a separate steering reservoir, not just in the wheel, perhaps similar like in a car

 

[Cruzerboy]

We've had steering hydraulic fluid issues since we took delivery in June, 2015. Ranger techs have bled the system twice, but we still have to top up the fluid every couple months. Since the system is completely closed and there are ne leaks, I can only assume minute air bubbles in the lines eventually consolidate and rise to the highest point in the system--the reservoir at the forward helm (we have a cockpit helm also). I'm sure we will eventually get all the air worked out of the system. In the meantime,we've added checking the fluid level to our startup checklist.

Tom
Seattle

 

[Automaticman865]

Hi,
If you can find someone that has s seastar power purge. 10 minutes and the system is free of air.

Stuart

 

[HudsonRanger15]

Good Morning,
The steering was very sluggish, thank you for your responses. I will keep checking the fluid levels.

 

[HudsonRanger15]

yes I meant 23, lol. I will check to see if I can get the Air out of the lines. Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Crewdog]

Hey Juan:

Congrats on the new R23!

Maybe we'll see you again on the Hudson one day.

 

[baz]

yes I meant 23, lol. I will check to see if I can get the Air out of the lines. Thank you for your assistance.

Juan: It would assist others here to help you if you can update your profile to show you have the R-23 and no longer have the R-21EC. Thanks. 🙂

 

[HudsonRanger15]

Greetings Crew dog,
thank you and great to hear from you .

 

[HudsonRanger15]

Baz,
R23 was not an option before, it is now. updated....Thanks

Juan

 

[Cruzerboy]

The hydraulic steering fluid in our 2015 R29s needed topping up every few weeks. Since it’s a closed system, and we could detect no leaks, we concluded that air was trapped somewhere in the lines, and was gradually migrating to the helm. Bleeding the system twice made no difference. As it turned out, we did have a leak at the forward helm and the leaked fluid was accumulating in the pocket of vinyl where the vinyl is wrapped around the bottom of the dashboard. When the pocket finally filled up and overflowed, the leak became obvious. Ranger gladly replaced the pump and all is well—finally.