Use automotive fluid for hydraulic steering???

[b***@rock.com]

My 18' center console (1993 Robalo) uses a pretty standard Teleflex
Seastar single-engine hydraulic steering mechanism. I live a good
distance from any place that sells boat supplies, and was wondering -
can I use automotive power steering fluid in the Teleflex unit?

Thanks,
Ron M.

[t***@gmail.com]

Sure! power steering fluid is power steering fluid. regaardless .....

Post by b***@rock.com
My 18' center console (1993 Robalo) uses a pretty standard Teleflex
Seastar single-engine hydraulic steering mechanism. I live a good
distance from any place that sells boat supplies, and was wondering -
can I use automotive power steering fluid in the Teleflex unit?
Thanks,
Ron M.

[Lost In Space/Woodchuck]

Sure! power steering fluid is power steering fluid. regaardless .....


And can't be used in a sealed seastar hydraulic system. DO YOUR RESEARCH
BEFORE GIVING BAD ADVICE!

Post by t***@gmail.com
Sure! power steering fluid is power steering fluid. regaardless .....

Post by b***@rock.com
My 18' center console (1993 Robalo) uses a pretty standard Teleflex
Seastar single-engine hydraulic steering mechanism. I live a good
distance from any place that sells boat supplies, and was wondering -
can I use automotive power steering fluid in the Teleflex unit?
Thanks,
Ron M.

[NOYB]

Post by t***@gmail.com
Sure! power steering fluid is power steering fluid. regaardless .....
And can't be used in a sealed seastar hydraulic system. DO YOUR RESEARCH
BEFORE GIVING BAD ADVICE!

Power steering fluid is good for flushing a seastar system before filling it
with the proper Teleflex fluid.

[Lost In Space/Woodchuck]

NO! Go to seastarsteering.com and search for the fluid spec. I think it has
a MIL spec. I if you can't find the spec, let me know and I can check it
from my bottle.

Post by b***@rock.com
My 18' center console (1993 Robalo) uses a pretty standard Teleflex
Seastar single-engine hydraulic steering mechanism. I live a good
distance from any place that sells boat supplies, and was wondering -
can I use automotive power steering fluid in the Teleflex unit?
Thanks,
Ron M.

[Billgran]

Post by b***@rock.com
My 18' center console (1993 Robalo) uses a pretty standard Teleflex
Seastar single-engine hydraulic steering mechanism. I live a good
distance from any place that sells boat supplies, and was wondering -
can I use automotive power steering fluid in the Teleflex unit?

Don't use power steering fluid or auto transmission fluid in your Teleflex
steering unless it is an emergency. They tell you that in the installation
manual and on their website.

If you can't find the light hydraulic fluid that the steering uses, go to
your local airport repair facility and buy or scrounge the TO 15 hydraulic
fluid that is used in small planes. That is the same stuff as the factory
oil but is dyed red.

Bill Grannis
service manager

[thunder]

Post by Billgran
Don't use power steering fluid or auto transmission fluid in your Teleflex
steering unless it is an emergency. They tell you that in the installation
manual and on their website.
If you can't find the light hydraulic fluid that the steering uses, go to
your local airport repair facility and buy or scrounge the TO 15 hydraulic
fluid that is used in small planes. That is the same stuff as the factory
oil but is dyed red.
Bill Grannis
service manager

I found this thread from another forum. Apparently there are quite a few
substitutes for that fluid.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=000025

[Billgran]

Post by Billgran
If you can't find the light hydraulic fluid that the steering uses, go to
your local airport repair facility and buy or scrounge the TO 15 hydraulic
fluid that is used in small planes.>

I meant to say HO 15 for the aircraft hydraulic fluid, mil. spec. H5606

Bill Grannis
service manager

[b***@rock.com]

A good friend of mine has used regular automotive power steering fluid
in his Teleflex Seastar-I unit for at least 10 years, with absolutely
no problem whatsoever. What exactly is suppose to happen when you use
this "wrong" stuff? Just curious...

Ron M.

[Billgran]

Post by b***@rock.com
A good friend of mine has used regular automotive power steering fluid
in his Teleflex Seastar-I unit for at least 10 years, with absolutely
no problem whatsoever. What exactly is suppose to happen when you use
this "wrong" stuff? Just curious...
Ron M.

the higher viscosity of automotive steering or ATF makes the steering
stiffer than it should be.

Bill Grannis
service manager

[b***@rock.com]

Post by Billgran

Post by b***@rock.com
A good friend of mine has used regular automotive power steering fluid
in his Teleflex Seastar-I unit for at least 10 years, with absolutely
no problem whatsoever. What exactly is suppose to happen when you use
this "wrong" stuff? Just curious...
Ron M.

the higher viscosity of automotive steering or ATF makes the steering
stiffer than it should be.
Bill Grannis
service manager

Is that all? Well, I can dock my friend's boat with my little finger.
Is this is the only difference? Does it actually HURT anything?

Ron M.