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Message board > Care & maintenance > Sloppy Steering

Message 9 of 9
Posted by member Clive ffitch on Tuesday 9 May 2017

Thanks Simon, stowed for future eventualities - they always seem to turn up!!! Clive

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Message 8 of 9
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Sunday 7 May 2017

Clive, The Quicksilver oil will be fine for changing or topping up the oil in your power trim system in the future - always worth keeping it. Cheers Si.

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Message 7 of 9
Posted by member Clive ffitch on Sunday 30 April 2017

Hope this helps anyone else pondering the same predicament with hydraulic fluid, and thanks for your advice Simon! After hours of searching, I can find no helpful data on the internet that more accurately describes what the Quicksilver "Power Trim & Steering Fluid" actually is. The label quotes only "For use in power trim and steering systems where ATF is recommended", "unique formula etc etc...", "not recommended for use in systems that specify SAE 0W-30 oil", and "meets API GL-4". GL4 is a gear oil. ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is a generic name, which includes this Quicksilver non-descript oily stuff. My Lecomble and Schmitt hydraulic steering manual clearly stipulates "Only use LS Dexron II or III oil or any other oil with ISO 22 viscosity". Dexron is a GM (General Motors) registered trademark, now a recognised oil classification, that many other ATFs (note, not all) meet. I therefore now have an unopened 1 litre bottle of Quicksilver that anyone is welcome to! I found a virtually full bottle of Max Life ATF in the garage, that states it meets Dexron IID, IIE, III, IIIH and more. I shall use this. All these oils are a bit of a minefield, so if anyone else is trying to figure out what to use in their hydraulic steering, don't jump on Quicksilver as being a cure-all as it seems to want to be. It may not be. In the words of one forum post by "Penfold" that I found on YBW... "Assuming you're using it in a manual system and not a powered one, it doesn't really matter what grade of ATF. The different grades have different quantities of friction modifiers which is of no consequence here as a manual system is simply using it as hydraulic fluid; any grade will do as long as it's clean". However, many others will tell you that some ATFs are likely to degrade some rubber seals that may be used in a system, and that... "ATF can mean a number of highly incompatible fluids". Clearly, not all ATFs are equal! Quicksilver may be OK of course, but don't risk it - stick by what your hydraulic steering manual specifies to use. If your manual says use Dexron II or III or other specific specification, then use it. Hope that was useful! I hope someone from Quicksilver finds this! Clive

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Message 6 of 9
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Wednesday 15 March 2017

Clive. I usually just see bottles of the Vetus fluid, normally 1 litre - it should be enough - but see if you can find any info from the manufacturer first. I would guess the quicksilver stuff is basically ATF oil - it is best to try to use the same type as you already have - mixing two slightly different oils in a steering system can be horrible - producing an annoying "skipping" feel to the wheel. Cheers Si.

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Message 5 of 9
Posted by member Clive Ffitch on Sunday 19 February 2017

Hi all, I'm finally getting round this spring to doing a bleed of any air that may be present in the hydraulic steering (a Lecombe Schmitt set up) on our Family Pilot, and am about to buy the steering fluid. Probably Quicksilver Power Trim and Steering Fluid unless I find I shouldn't use that one, but not having played with bleeding such a system before, has anyone else done this, and is a 1 litre bottle of the stuff adequate for the job? Any tips useful! Thanks, Clive

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Message 4 of 9
Posted by member Phil Sanderson on Thursday 29 October 2015

Hi all, Just looking for a bit of advice on what level of steering basklash / play is normal. My Navigator has a Ultraflex t67 – steering system connected to a Ultraflex cable. There is currently about a 20° play which has been consistent since I bought her last earlier this year and hasn't got any worse this summer with some quite heavy use. The cable looks ok but the Ultraflex system doesn't look like it will come a part for inspection of the gearing (well it does but probably wont go back together). The boat is currently on the drive and providing me with hours of 'tinkeing fun' and I was just wondering if I need to replace the Ultraflex unit?

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Message 3 of 9
Posted by member Simon Papendick on Saturday 28 June 2014

Hi David, It depends on how old your Family Pilot is as the ones build in the 1980's had cable steering and this could be worn out by now and the steering head and cable need replacing. Also it would be an idea to check the engine end of the cable where it fits on to the engine as these sometimes worn. This will give you a sloppy feel to the steering. Kind Regards Simon Papendick

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Message 2 of 9
Posted by member Adele on Thursday 26 June 2014

Hi David, What kind of steering do you have? Is it hydraulic? I have an S A Lecomble & Schmitt Kit LS 2024 according to the manual I was given when we bought Adele, and have a very small, not serious, very slight slackness in the steering caused by a very small amount of fluid leaked out while work being done. I am intending to top up the fluid as per instructions in the French/English manual when I get round to it, and if you have the same or similar kind of steering, I can send you a copy of the manual. If hydraulic, I suspect your slackness is also due to a greater lack of fluid/air in the system. Hope helps, Clive

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Message 1 of 9
Posted by member David Gibson on Thursday 29 May 2014

Hi All, I have a lot of play, well it seems a lot to me, in my Family Pilot. What amount of play should I have? What have you got and is it a matter of replacing the steering box. Got a 60hp Mercury powering it. Thanks David

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