teleflex hydraulic helm leak

Chesapeakechuck · Aug-31-2006, 12:28 PM

Gots me some leakage from my helm-----its your standard teleflex hydraulic helm with a destroyer stainelss wheel. The leak is on the outside of the helm, immediately behind the wheel.....if you remove the nut that holds the wheel on, then remove the wheel, you'll be looking at a round plate that's held on by (I think) four small screws. The leak is eminating from around this round plate.......Before I remove the screws and make a pretty big mess, I was hoping that someone here could tell me what to do, or alternatively, what not to do with respect to seeing what's underneath that plate. I figure there is just a seal that needs replaced, but would like some sort of input from someone whose dealt with this before. Thanks...

**Ali** · Aug-31-2006, 01:30 PM

Sounds like the front seal is shot.

Call teleflex. They have a good website and good customer service.

KC Kevin · Aug-31-2006, 03:01 PM

Sounds like a seal is shot. I had a similar problem when I bought the boat; leaking hyd. fluid from the same area. A guy who was helping me took that plate off, got some kite string, wrapped it around the steering wheel shaft several times, and put the plate back on. Crazy McGiver Stuff for sure. over 4 years ago and not a single leak since.

FishWiz · Aug-31-2006, 03:43 PM

Bleed all the pressure out of the system, drain the fluid by cracking loose the lines below the dash, before taking that plate off or you might not be happy with the mess.

bigbrownbuku · Sep-04-2006, 01:40 AM

if your helm is not mounted on a vertical surface, just a small bowl while you change the seal will do. the seal just picks out, its actually called a quad ring. taking the plate off wont do anything, you wont even lose the steering prime if you never let the helm empty. a litre of fluid to top up the helm when you are done also. never hurts to bleed the system once you are done, might need another litre for that.