Hi Larry I appreciate your comment. Part of my difficulty is the fact that I purchased this 5 year old boat in April, so don't have any history on the steering. I will certainly monitor the fluid level - easy since it has the extra fll kit installed with a filler cap on the exteriror of the upper helm - and if I see any further loss will do a much more careful inspection. Cheers, Garrett. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Redden" <kredden@BoatMoves.com> To: "'Garrett Lambert'" <garrettlambert@shaw.ca> Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 8:22 AM Subject: RE: Hydraulic Steering Update >> -----Original Message----- >> Last week I asked for and received excellent advice re my steering >> problems. >> Today I checked the system for leaks - none that I could find - but the >> fluid >> level was down about 2 ounces, and topping it up restored the former >> "feel" >> and tightened everything up. > > Garrett, > > If your fluid level is down, you've got a leak in the system, and a > steering > failure waiting to happen. > > Under normal conditions, the system should never leak any fluid. Unless > you know > where the fluid is leaking, and positively know it is not going to cause a > steering failure when you can least afford it, you've got a serious > situation > that needs fixing. On the other hand, if it is only leaking from the seals > in > the ram, and you are monitoring the leak and keeping the fluid topped up, > it can > probably wait for winter maintenance (provided it doesn't get worse). > > Regards, > Kevin > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.9/417 - Release Date: 8/11/2006