Bay Star Helm

[baboos_boat]

I have a CD22 and live in Fairbanks, Alaska. My boat is a 2004 rigged by E.Q. Marine. The steering helm is a HH 4016 - 1.6. During this last season I began to see small runs of oil down the console directly under the back side of the steering hub. During my annual winterization I had the leak checked and the mechanic told me I need to replace the entire helm. (I am not sure helm is the right term - its the round piece the steering wheel goes into.) The mechanic said an internal seal was broken.

Has any one else had this problem or any opinions. I am contacting C-Dory, E.Q. Marine and Teleflex on Monday but hopefully will find out from C-Brats helpful information become contacting.

Is it possible our extreme cold could have caused the seal to break? We get down to the minus 40's and sometimes colder. The boat spends the winter under a shed but with no heat. During the summer I spoke with Les at E.Q. Marine and he suggested towing across mountains (which I do) with large elevation/pressure changes which could cause a leak. I am wondering if I simply have a leak and not a defective seal.

[gljjr]

Even if you have a seal leak, I'm pretty sure you can get a new seal kit from Teleflex and rebuild the helm. I've seen them several times on the web as I was looking for a second helm station for my hydraulic system.

[Papillon]

FYI:


Replacement Helm:
http://www.saveonboating.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HH4016

Seal Kit:
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=113273F

[baboos_boat]

Thanks Gary and Mike. The links to the helm and the replacement kit is just what I am looking for.

Has anyone ever put a kit in? Is taking the helm off and apart going to be something a mechanic with special tools will need to do?

[Papillon]

Removing the steering wheel is going to be the hardest part , and that can be done with a little faness or a wheel puller. the rest is DIY if you have any mechanical abilities at all.

Search the Teleflex site for the Manual on the Baystar helm, it will tell you how to install it...thus take it apart. It will also show you how to bleed the air out of the lines when you are finished.

It will take two people for that part in most cases.

[handybrat]

The Baystar will not require a puller, it is shaft with a "woodruff key" to prevent rotation of the wheel around the shaft. Remove the center medallion, remove the nut on the shaft, take wheel in left and right hands, rock back and forth, remove wheel and continue.

[baboos_boat]

Thanks, The factory called me yesterday and confirmed that no wheel puller is necessary.

Has anyone else had to put in a gasket repair kit. If yes what advice might you have.