Hydrolic leak down the wall from lower wheel on 1981 34’ CHB tricabin trawler.
- Thread starter Douglasc
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Flatswing
Guru
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2016
- Messages
- 658
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- River Girl
- Vessel Make
- 2004 DeFever 49 RPH
Is the leak from the shaft behind the wheel?
A very common leak is the shaft seal. In many installations the leak runs down the front of the dash behind the wheel, but if the pump is at all recessed, the leak may be on the back of the bulkhead.
For access, pull the wheel, VERY carefully remove the plastic seal cover and replace the O ring. 2 parts can be tricky. 1) removing the wheel, 2) reinstalling the plastic cover so that it doesn’t get cockeyed. An appropriate length of flush cut PVC pipe ( I seem to recall 1”) helps you seat the plastic cover much more easily.
Teleflex became Capilano and now Dometic. Their customer service is usually very helpful too.
A very common leak is the shaft seal. In many installations the leak runs down the front of the dash behind the wheel, but if the pump is at all recessed, the leak may be on the back of the bulkhead.
For access, pull the wheel, VERY carefully remove the plastic seal cover and replace the O ring. 2 parts can be tricky. 1) removing the wheel, 2) reinstalling the plastic cover so that it doesn’t get cockeyed. An appropriate length of flush cut PVC pipe ( I seem to recall 1”) helps you seat the plastic cover much more easily.
Teleflex became Capilano and now Dometic. Their customer service is usually very helpful too.
Last edited:
Sleeping Bear
Veteran Member
Hmmm, I have done this. I seem to remember the seals are just o rings that can be purchased at any hydraulic supply shop, but I could not replace the seals without removing the unit and then dismantling it, no big deal, the biggest deal was bleeding the air out of the system afterwards, long story, but we lost steering on the next outing, had to finish up using the autohelm as the pump for that is down by the rudders.
Removing the wheel is easy, go to Harbor Freight and buy a gear puller.
Removing the wheel is easy, go to Harbor Freight and buy a gear puller.
Flatswing
Guru
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2016
- Messages
- 658
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- River Girl
- Vessel Make
- 2004 DeFever 49 RPH
Yes any large inexpensive puller can be made to work even in wooden wheelsDon’t crank the screw too much. Just tension it then sharply tap the center pin with a hammer to break the adhesion and wheel will pop off in most cases.
sean9c
Guru
Wasn't there just a thread about a leaky one of these?
