Steering wheel migrates to the right

[tkaustin]

In normal use of my 2011 25SC, I find that I turn the wheel at the helm to starboard more than I turn it to port. It would seem the hydraulic pump at the help might have a small internal leak in one direction.

This isn't actually a problem in normal operation. Yet. When turning it either direction, it does come up against a hard stop at the limit. But I do wonder whether it suggests a problem to be.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Osprey]

A common cause of the above concern is leakage within the check valves of the autopilot pump.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Could possibly be a check valve issue internal to the autopilot pump or some air in the steering that needs purged. If you have an autopilot on your R25SC you could isolate this by shutting down the check valves by closing off three of them with flathead screws. You need to be very cautious that you do not run the autopilot with the valves closed and when opening them again you stop as soon as the screw shows a little resistance as they are seating in the open position on O-rings. If you open them back too far, you can pull the valves loose past the O-rings and you may need to order a new pump regardless. If you choose to isolate the valves on the pump, close all three of them off and go and run the boat to see if this makes any change. If it solves the issue, a replacement will be needed. If not, I would hire someone with a power purge unit to bleed any remaining air out of the system.

Thank you,

 

[stwendl]

Perhaps the fact that the rudder is mounted slightly offset has something to do with it which is mounted offset to allow the prop shaft to be removed without removing the rudder

 

[coreychamness]

I have been unfortunate enough to experience the failing autopilot pump twice and one thing you may notice is that it gets progressively worse as time goes - and certainly if you are traveling faster. The closing of the small screws is definitely telling but be careful. I suggest you make a mark on both head and unit with some fingernail polish or paint then count the turns to close.

Corey

 

[Osprey]

If the autopilot passes the check valve test as described by Andrew Curtis one could go on to do an air in the lines test. Back in 2013 there was an exchange of posting between Baz and Knotflying which clearly describes the test process. Use this forum's search box with the words "auto pilot issues" to learn the details. You may need to click on a couple of the search outcomes to get complete information. Note that in the original posts that "auto pilot" is two words.