Hydralic Steering on X-Star

[magnum]

Does anyone know if there is an adjustment on the sensitive of the hydralic steering . Mine seems a little hard to turn compared to one that does not have hydralic steering

[Ole Miss Rebels]

i have an 08 xstar with L18 and mechanical steering. my steering (as compared to my frineds 07 X30 LY6 with hydraulic steering) is easier and more geared down, i.e. -responsive. the only time my boat is even remotely hard to steer is when i am returning the wheel back from a hard/powered left hand turn. then some fluid dynamics kick in and i have to use both hands. i have not noticed any type of adjustment on my frineds system. could it be low on fluid?

[Eagle Lake Rebel]

No adjustment that I know of. Check your fluid level, burp system for air that's about it. Hyd steering units do require a little more effort than the std rack unit to turn.

[TallRedRider]

I have asked the same question just recently, and have come to the conclusion that the hydraulic is just a little more stiff to steer, but I still have not filled mine with fluid, and purged any air out. I do think mine is a little low, just have not gotten around to it. It should not be hard to steer, just won't turn with one finger.

[magnum]

Do you know where you check the fluid level. I have the little cap on the top of the dash. Is that just A vent

[bigmac]

My previous boat had hydraulic steering. You could spin that sucker in a heartbeat lock-to-lock with one finger. When it got stiffer than that, it meant that there was something wrong with the pump. Fan belt, fluid level, pump failure.

I don't know about MC's hydraulic steering, but many of the power steering systems on boats have some water cooling, which easily gets overlooked in winterization, the result of which is the pump going TU.

[TallRedRider]

Originally Posted by magnum

Do you know where you check the fluid level. I have the little cap on the top of the dash. Is that just A vent

Under the little cap, there is a clear tube that then goes to the steering column. You should be able to see some fluid in the clear tube, but the fluid itself is also pretty clear, so look carefully.

Originally Posted by bigmac

My previous boat had hydraulic steering. You could spin that sucker in a heartbeat lock-to-lock with one finger. When it got stiffer than that, it meant that there was something wrong with the pump. Fan belt, fluid level, pump failure.

I don't know about MC's hydraulic steering, but many of the power steering systems on boats have some water cooling, which easily gets overlooked in winterization, the result of which is the pump going TU.

This hydraulic steering has no pumps, no water cooling, no power. It is just hydraulic fluid in the line instead of a cable, IIUC. But I am sure there is no motorized parts to it.

[kenk]

I have a 2007 Xstar Salt water edition. The hydraulic steering wheel is very easy to turn and is very precise. Works great...

[fbroen]

2008 X-Star with hydraulic steering. A bit more resistance than previous boats' cables, but not a big deal.

What is annoying though is that it takes a (very) small turn of the wheel for it to "click" over from one wheel rotation to the other. That is, it feels like a small gapping and, well, a bit ghetto.

Is this normal and unavoidable on hydraulic steering, or do I need to check on fluid?

[kenk]

My steering is solid...when turning left to right and right to left....check your hyd fluid...maybe low fluid or air in line....