Vetus Helm Pump

[Gulf Comanche]

Steering has gotten pretty stiff. Bled the system of air, still stiff. So, looking for used or rebuilt helm pump or parts/where to find parts. There's a number EG 42CC stamped on the top of the pump behind the wheel. Pump is vintage 1993. All help appreciated.
Mike

 

[sean9c]

Is there a reason that you think it's the helm pump that is making your steering stiff?
If it was me the first thing that I'd do is disconnect the steering cylinder from the arm on the rudder and then see how stiff my steering was. Then I'd wonder about the oil in the system. Clean that out and replace it with something good. When it's apart try pulling on the steering cylinder shaft and make sure that moves ok.

 

[Lepke]

I'd look at the rudder packing and verify it isn't the cause. For the pump to become stiff, it would need some gum like residue.

 

[Gulf Comanche]

The helm pump makes a cracking sound when it's turned all the way over and just about to hit the stops. I had a mechanic with me when we bled the air from the system. He said the hydraulic cylinder is working fine, no leaks. The fluid moved thru the system fine also, no more air. His opinion was the helm pump will need a rebuild sooner than later. I'll disconnect the steering cylinder and see if there's a rudder issue. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Gulf Comanche]

I disconnected the ram from the rudder then attached a tiller to the top of the rudder. It was very hard to turn so I opened rudder packing gland. There is no packing in the gland only a metal looking packing in the small part of the gland. I suspect this is a metal bearing of some kind. The shaft of the rudder comes up from the water to the gland which is about 2 feet above the waterline. I started adding penetrating oil to the metal bearing and then reattached the ram to the rudder then started turning the helm back and forth. It loosened up quite a bit so I added more penetrating oil and left it to soak overnight. Back to the boat today for more of the same. Seems like I get one issue more or less solved then something else pops up.